Mass. school bus driver facing charges after allegedly shoving crash witness

A school bus driver in Millis is facing several charges after allegedly assaulting someone who confronted him after seeing the bus crash with students on board Wednesday, officials said. 

The bus driver, 63-year-old Mamdouh Abdelnour, is charged with assault and battery after allegedly pushing a witness who confronted him after seeing the bus hit several trash bins and bushes, Millis police said in a statement. Abdelnour was put on administrative leave after the incident and is also facing charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and an improper turn, according to officials. 

Abdelnour was reportedly attempting a three-point turn on Village Street with 48 students from Clyde Brown Elementary School on board at the time of the incident, police said.

Moments later, a witness to the accident approached Abdelnour, and the bus driver allegedly pushed him, police said.

No students were injured in the incident.

Families of students who arrived at the Village Street scene were directed to Clyde Brown Elementary School for pickup, according to police. The bus dropped off some students at the school before continuing on its route, Millis Public School Superintendent Bob Mullaney said in a statement.

Families who called the school were told to stay at their respective bus stops.

Clyde Brown Principal Tanna Jango and a school counselor rode the bus with students for support as they were dropped off, and all students made it home safely, Mullaney said.

“Please know that student safety is our utmost priority. We’d like to thank Millis Police and Millis Fire for their immediate response and their work to ensure safety,” Mullaney said. “We’d also like to thank our families for their patience and cooperation as we dealt with this situation.”

“It is with great relief that we inform you that no children were injured in this incident,” said Christopher J. Soffayer, chief of the Millis Police Department. “The safety and well-being of your children are of utmost importance to us, and we extend our sincere gratitude to the school administration for their prompt response and diligent efforts to ensure the safe reunification of students with their families.”

The incident is currently under investigation and updates will be provided as necessary, police said.

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