Due to the elevated risk they present, motorists should practice extra caution when operating around school buses. These vehicles make sudden stops and usually indicate that kids are nearby, many of whom may need to cross the street. Not even the flashing red lights and stop arm of one Georgia school bus were enough to stop a 51-year-old woman, who looked past these warning signs and struck and killed a teen.

The driver responsible for the accident was recently in court, where she faces reckless driving, failing to stop for a school bus and first-degree vehicular homicide charges. A judge did not set a bond for the woman, so she must remain county jail until her next court appearance.

The 17-year-old victim was riding on the bus as she returned home from an after-school activity at 7 p.m. one night. The accident occurred on Mountain Road near Dorris Road in Douglas County. The teen had exited the bus and was crossing the road when the vehicle struck and killed her. The bus was properly parked and had its warning lights flashing as the teen crossed the street. Witnesses at the scene tried to aid the young woman, but it was too late. The driver also stopped at the scene.

Police questioned witnesses and the driver during their investigation. The district attorney pointed to the woman's unstable mental state as grounds for not setting bond.

Meanwhile, the victim's family said they do not begrudge the driver, even though the loss of their loved one has been devastating. However, with the expenses involved with a funeral and medical bills, the family would be within its rights to sue for wrongful death, which seeks to hold reckless and negligent conduct accountable.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "No bond for driver charged in death of Douglas County teen," Angela K. Brooks and Mike Morris, Dec. 8, 2011