01/06/12 — Bus driver charged in Thursday afternoon accident

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Bus driver charged in Thursday afternoon accident

By Phyllis Moore and Gary Popp
Published in News on January 6, 2012 1:46 PM

A middle school bus driver has been charged following a three-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon near the school grounds.

The incident occurred shortly after school was dismissed at Eastern Wayne Middle School, said Ken Derksen, public information officer for the school district.

"Basically, the bus driver pulled out of the school and rear-ended a car, which rear-ended another car," he said.

According to Goldsboro police, bus driver Stephene McCovery, 29, of Cashwell Drive, Goldsboro, was traveling eastbound on New Hope Road.

The call was received by dispatch about 3 p.m., officials said. Goldsboro police, fire department and emergency services responded.

The school district reported 17 students were on the bus at the time.

There were no injuries and the scene was cleared within 30 minutes.

Ms. McCovery was charged with failure to reduce speed.

Damages to the bus were estimated at $400. The first vehicle struck received $2,500 worth of damage and the third vehicle involved received $600 worth of damage.