In a response to the heartbreaking incident that took the life of young Lens A. Joseph, Mayor Michelle Wu, along with Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper, have called for an independent investigation into the transportation safety policies under the BPS contract with Transdev. This move is propelled by the devastating accident on April 28, where the kindergartener was fatally struck by his own school bus. The inquiry aims to dissect and overhaul the current safety protocols to prevent such events from occurring again.
The investigation will be spearheaded by former federal prosecutor and cop turned Mintz attorney, Natashia Tidwell, who boasts a specialization in conducting external investigations. It follows the tragic death of a child, prompting a public outcry for transparency and enhanced safety measures. "We are heartbroken," Mayor Wu said, according to an announcement on Boston.gov. "No family should ever suffer the loss of a child, and the public deserves a full understanding of how this could have happened and what changes are needed. This independent review, separate from the investigation led by BPD and the DA’s office, will closely scrutinize the Transdev contract’s safety policies and performance."
Since approximately 400 incidents involving BPS school buses are recorded annually, the need for immediate action is evident. Superintendent Skipper underscored this urgency, saying, "The safety of all of our students is paramount and we will ensure that any findings and recommendations from this investigation are acted on and implemented to strengthen the safety of our transportation system and the services provided by our vendor Transdev." This statement, obtained by Boston.gov, aligns with new measures already in motion, including intensified safety meetings and an immediate audit to ascertain valid credentials amongst bus drivers.
The driver involved in the April 28 incident, Jean Charles, has resigned after his lapsed driver credential came to light and following several minor driving mishaps that included two incidents earlier in April. On the day of the tragic accident, Charles was covering an additional route and had an altercation with another vehicle, which he failed to report—a violation of existing protocol. The scope of Tidwell’s review will extend past performance reviews and training protocols to place additional checks on driver qualifications.
