Millis School Bus Driver Accused of Assault and Traffic Violations After Crash with Students Onboard

A school bus driver in Millis, Massachusetts, is facing assault and traffic violation charges after an altercation Wednesday following a crash. The incident, which involved a vehicle filled with elementary students, has put 63-year-old Mamdouh Abdelnour on administrative leave.

Millis police report that Abdelnour, while attempting a three-point turn on Village Street, collided with several trash bins and bushes. At the time of the incident, 48 students from Clyde Brown Elementary School were on the bus, though fortunately there were no injuries. After the collision, Abdelnour is accused of shoving a witness who had approached him, triggering his arrest, according to information obtained by NBC Boston.

In response to the situation, families living on Valley Street were directed to the Clyde Brown Elementary School to pick up their children. The incident led to heightened concerns for student safety and inspections of school transportation safety protocols. Mamdouh Abdelnour now faces charges including assault and battery, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, and making an improper turn, detailed in a statement provided by the Boston 25 News.

According to a witness in an interview with 7News, they had been driving a few cars behind the school bus when the incident happened, “There were children scared to death on this bus.” Post-accident, the shaken students were eventually delivered to their various stops, accompanied by school personnel for support. “We have counselors available if there’s any kids who are still struggling processing with it.” as stated by the Millis Superintendent of Schools Robert Mullaney, confirming that some students were more affected than others.

The community has expressed gratitude for the quick response and management of the situation by the school administration. Millis Police Chief Christopher Soffayer emphasized the children's safety as a primary concern, reassuring parents that “The safety and well-being of your children are of utmost importance to us, and we extend our sincere gratitude to the school administration for their prompt response and diligent efforts to ensure the safe reunification of students with their families,” as he told Boston 25 News. The investigation of the accident, led by Millis police, and the subsequent legal process will continue to unfold as Abdelnour remains on leave.