(DOTHAN, Ala.) On December 9, 2024, Dothan Police Crash Investigators arrested Steven Phillip Valentine for leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries after an incident was reported to police. According to investigators, Valentine was driving a Dothan City Schools bus and dropping kids off in the 300 block of Summerrain Terrace. As students were getting off the bus, Valentine closed the doors to the bus, which caught on a student’s backpack. The student’s backpack and arm were caught in the door when Valentine drove off. After about 150 feet, Valentine realized the child was caught in the door. Valentine stopped, opened the door, and the child then left towards his residence. Investigators determined Valentine had not met his legal obligations to render aid and notify authorities after an accident. In the State of Alabama, a passenger falling from or injured by a vehicle in motion on a public road is considered an accident. Valentine was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries, a felony, and placed in the Houston County Jail with a $15,000 bond.
Shortly after 4:00 pm on December 9, 2024, Dothan Police officers were notified by a responsible party of a child about an incident involving a Dothan City School bus. The child, who was under the age of 12, was getting off the bus in the 300 block of Summerrain Terrace when the bus driver closed the doors to the bus, which trapped the child by his backpack and arm. After driving about 150 feet, the driver, identified as Steven Valentine, realized the child was stuck in the door. The child remained on his feet during the incident but damaged his shoes. After the child was released, Valentine asked the student if he was okay but did not render aid.
Valentine then left the scene and continued his route to drop off students without contacting police or Dothan City School authorities. Police eventually made contact with Valentine at the Dothan City Schools Bus Barn after he completed his route. The child complained of arm and back pain from the incident and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The child has since been released and is expected to recover. Video from the school bus camera confirmed the series of events as the victim told it to police.
School bus drivers have a legal and professional responsibility to their passengers. Anytime they are involved in an accident, drivers are legally bound to render aid and contact the proper authorities about the accident. When a child is injured or involved in an incident such as this, responsible parties are expected to take care of the children on their bus and notify the proper authorities in a timely manner. Valentine was charged with one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries. No further charges are expected.
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