FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Broward County Transit bus driver who ran over a 14-year-old boy last month will serve a 15-day unpaid suspension and be demoted as a result of the incident, county officials announced Friday.
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Reinaldo Soto, 55, was placed on administrative leave while county transit administrators investigated the May 10 incident. He will be demoted from bus operator to coaching service attendant.
"Safety continues to be a top priority of Broward County," said Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry. "The vast majority of our bus operators provide safe transit service to our customers on a daily basis. We are committed to the continued implementation of proactive safety measures including increased operator training, improved monitoring tools and when necessary, the implementation of disciplinary actions. We hope for the young man's continued recovery."
Soto was driving the bus that ran over Jerry Cunningham (pictured above right) in the 1200 block of E. Sample Road in Pompano Beach. The teenager is in a medically-induced coma and remains in critical condition, according to attorneys representing his family.
Local 10 obtained Soto's county driving record. It listed 11 accidents -- three were ruled preventable; twice he clipped another bus; and, once he hit a car. None of the accidents resulted in injuries.
READ: Soto's driving record |
Soto has been a bus operator with Broward County Transit since Feb. 2002.