The Bradford Area School District bus driver involved in a Dec. 8 accident on School Street has been charged following an investigation by Bradford City Police and Pennsylvania State Police.

Danielle Howard is charged with careless driving and failure to keep right, both summary traffic violations. She was terminated by the district Monday.

On the day of the accident, Howard’s bus veered left, traveled over the sidewalk and snapped a utility pole in half. The bus was carrying 28 elementary students. No injuries were reported. Howard was reportedly shaken after the accident and taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center for precautionary evaluation.

According to Bradford City Police Chief Mike Ward, “The school bus incident was investigated and determined not to be mechanical failure … it was driver action and summary citations are being issued accordingly.”

On Monday, the school board voted to terminate Howard under Section 514 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949, as amended, which allows them to remove after notice, “…for incompetency, intemperance, neglect of duty, violation of any of the school laws of this Commonwealth, or other improper conduct.”

The Bradford Area School District released a statement Thursday regarding the matter:

“On Dec. 8, 2023, a school bus transporting Bradford Area School District students was involved in a crash. At that time, based on driver feedback, it was assumed that the accident was a result of a mechanical failure.

“In order to ensure the safety of our children, the district and the Bradford City Police Department requested a thorough investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police,” the statement read.

“The district immediately placed the driver on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The Pennsylvania State Police, Division of MCSAP, concluded their investigation last week and determined it was not a mechanical issue that caused the accident.

The statement continued, “At the conclusion of the investigation, a recommendation was made to dismiss the driver from employment with the district. The district approved the recommendation and dismissed the employee, effective immediately. The district has confirmed with the Bradford City Police Department that charges are pending against the driver.”

“As this is a personnel matter, the district will not provide any further details,” the district’s statement concluded.