I-Team Exclusive: Cars caught on camera passing stopped school buses

Posted: May 3, 2019 / 11:38 PM EDT / Updated: May 3, 2019 / 11:38 PM EDT

MOUNTAIN TOP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A blaring horn wasn’t enough to stop a driver from speeding by a stopped school bus and its flashing lights.

“Just another step or two, he could’ve been hit, and who knows what could’ve happened,” said Erika Kondraski.

Her 15-year-old son Caleb was getting ready to cross Nuangola Road in Mountain Top on Tuesday when her doorbell caught a close call on camera.

“I’m just so proud of my son,” said Kondraski. “He did what he was supposed to do. He stood there and saw the car coming, but I just keep thinking, what if?”

The next day, as her husband was waving goodbye to the couple’s three youngest kids, it happened again.

“If it’s happening that often here, how often is it happening all around our community?” asked Kondraski.

The Eyewitness News I-Team has received a lot of complaints about people running stop signs when students board their buses.

In a special report last week, we told you more than 700 drivers are convicted of this crime every year in Pennsylvania, and those are just the ones who got caught, according to PennDOT.

Janelle Davison manages S.T.A. Transportation, which provides busing for students in the Wilkes-Barre area.

“If we have the make, model, and license plate of a car, unless our driver can point that person out who was driving in a court of law, they are found not guilty,” said Davison.

Kondraski told the I-Team she’s sharing her videos to spread awareness about these scary situations and hopes more drivers will stop for the school buses.

“I know it puts you behind a few minutes, but if it saves a life, then it’s worth it!”

The penalties for violating school bus safety laws in Pennsylvania are stiff.

If convicted, you face a 60-day suspension of your license, five points added to your driving record, and a $250 fine.