Student-Bus Driver Fight Puts Police on Alert

SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) — Following a fight between a student and a school bus driver, Sumter sheriff’s deputies claim even they haven’t seen an incident like this in a while and are now on alert, they say, to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The incident actually occurred at the beginning of March. However, in light of recent violent events nationwide, some of which happened on school property, Sumter County officials say they are even more vigilant, especially when an incident involves a school in their own backyard. “You can’t take something in your own hands,” warns Capt. Allen Dailey. But that’s what happened on March 1, according to school bus video out of Sumter County released this week. A 17-year-old student is seen punching 61-year-old bus driver, Delores Rainwater. According to the incident report, prior to the fisticuffs, the two argued over the placement of a jacket on the bus. The incident report implies Rainwater provoked the teen prior to the juvenile taking matters into her own hands. “We can’t have altercations on school buses or school property,” said Dailey. “We take that very seriously because of incidents across across the country and things like that. We have to nip it in the bud as it gets started.” The juvenile was found not guilty of simple assault on March 21. Rainwater was fired by the school district for violating school policy. Meanwhile, local sheriff’s deputies claim they are in constant communication with schools to prevent such events but realize sometimes they have to play catch up, after the damage had already been done. “Call the authorities and let us handle it.”