Driver charged after hitting woman, child at school bus stop

CHESTER, S.C. — Chester County officials said a 21-year-old woman and a 3-year-old child were hit by a car while crossing the road Thursday afternoon.

The incident happened around 2:15 p.m. off Pinckney Street just outside Chester, according to officials. The woman was identified as Ashley Caldwell.

The driver, Danny William Dove, 53, of Chester, was driving a 2002 Ford Minivan, officials said.

Officials said the child had just gotten off a Head Start bus and the mother and child were crossing the road in front of the school bus, with lights, stop arm and warnings activated.

Officials said Dove disregarded the school bus warning devices and hit them. He was charged Thursday with traffic violations and failure to stop for a bus.

Chris Sprouse heard the crash which happened near his home.

“All of a sudden, I stopped and I looked and I heard brakes,” Sprouse said.

Caldwell and the 3-year-old were airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, officials said. There was no word on their medical conditions Thursday night.

In 2007, Dove was accused of holding his family captive in a Chester County home.

As part of his bond in that case, Dove agreed to mental health counseling and no contact with his wife and children.

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