A substitute school bus driver in Castle Rock, Colorado has been terminated after dropping off approximately 40 elementary school students at an incorrect location, leaving them stranded in cold weather miles from their homes.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when Irving Johnson, covering an unfamiliar route for Clear Sky Elementary School, allegedly forced students to exit the bus at the intersection of East Wolfensberger Road and Auburn Drive - about two miles from the school.
According to 10-year-old student Caitlyn Zavadil, problems began when Johnson delayed departure from school until students stopped talking. She reported that he then proceeded to skip designated stops, causing panic among the children. "We felt like when he was driving and missing our stops, like we were getting kidnapped," Zavadil told local media.
Johnson defended his actions in interviews, claiming he was unfamiliar with the route and dependent on a tablet for navigation. He stated that when he stopped, he was surprised to see all 40 students exit the bus at once. "It was bizarre for me, and I think I was really stunned by it and I didn't know what to do," Johnson explained.
Parents were outraged when their children had to rely on strangers for help getting home. Ashley Stark, Caitlyn's mother, described receiving a frightening call from an unknown person who had her children. "I was absolutely petrified," she said.
The Douglas County School District Chief Operations Officer Rich Cosgrove confirmed Johnson's termination in a letter to affected families, stating the driver failed to follow proper protocols by not notifying transportation dispatch when the incident occurred. Both the school district and Castle Rock Police Department have launched investigations into the matter.
Johnson has since apologized, acknowledging his mistakes: "I wish I had done better. I should have stopped and shut the bus, and talked to the parents, and gotten in their heads to get the kids back on the bus who had gotten off."
The incident highlights ongoing challenges with bus driver shortages in the district, with former drivers noting the need for better route training and preparation for substitute drivers.