FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — The North Carolina Highway Patrol was investigating after a 6-year-old girl was dragged nearly a mile by a school bus in Forsyth County, Channel 9 news partner WGHP reports.
It was reported around 3:43 p.m. Monday.
The bus driver who authorities say dragged the first-grader for about a mile after her arm was caught in the bus door has resigned.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools spokesman Theo Helm said Rueben Hash resigned Wednesday. The 78-year-old Hash had been suspended without pay and recommended for dismissal after Monday's incident.
Helm said that at the time of the accident, Hash was working as a substitute driver. He has driven school buses for the school system since 2000.
Chelsea Klepzig, 6, a first-grader at Union Cross Elementary School, was dragged down Pine Meadow Drive by her school bus. Chelsea’s grandmother was waiting for Chelsea to get off the bus when the bus driver closed the bus on her arm.
Grandmother Estrella Klepzig told WGHP that she followed the school bus, flashing her lights at the driver.
The girl hung onto the bus while stuck in the door for almost a mile. Her parents told WGHP that her feet and legs were dragged as she held on. When the bus reached the stop at Pine Meadow Court, her grandmother said the doors opened and Chelsea fell to the ground.
Chelsea had minor injuries.
There were 17 students on the bus at the time, according to Helm.
No charges have been filed, according to Highway Patrol, which added that the incident is still under investigation.
Read more on this story at WGHP.
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