CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The district attorney’s office said it made a mistake after it reduced charges for a woman who drove through a school bus stop sign, hitting a teenager crossing the street.
Ronette Caldwell and her 14-year-old son, Devin Caldwell, park at the corner of Hubbard and Lowen roads in north Charlotte so he can ride the school bus to Sugar Creek Charter School.
"I'm just petrified and scared," Devin said.
The boy does not feel safe crossing the street after he was struck by a vehicle in September as the school bus’ stop arm and sign were activated.
Ronette Caldwell said she is blessed her son is alive, but she is upset with the district attorney’s office because prosecutors reduced charges against the driver.
It went from failing to stop for a stopped school bus, which is a five-point violation to unsafe movement, which is a two-point violation.
[Troopers riding school buses to spot drivers ignoring stop arms]
"I was like, ‘This can't be right. How does she get away with running a stopped school bus and hitting my son?" the mother said.
Ronette Caldwell said she tried to call the district attorney's office to find out what happened, but she said she never got a satisfactory answer.
After that, she contacted Channel 9.
The district attorney’s office sent us this release:
“Our prosecutors reviewed the case and determined that an oversight in a high-volume courtroom led to a case disposition that we believe could have been more appropriately handled."
Ronette Caldwell is somewhat relieved, but she is still dealing with the aftermath of the accident.
"Mentally, he's scarred,” she said. “He's now scared to cross the street.”
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