Driver Nearly Hits Student After Illegally Passing Stopped School Bus in Deerpark

Bus Safety Laws in New York State

Most New York drivers are aware of the bus safety laws in place across the state.

Back in 2019, according to the NYS DMV, a law was passed that "authorizes school districts and municipalities to use stop-arm cameras on school buses to impose penalties on the owners of vehicles which pass a school bus while the school bus is stopped for the purpose of dropping off or picking up passengers and red lights are on the school bus are flashing.'

READ MORE: Hudson Valley School Bus Safety Reminders

Drivers who were caught passing the stopped busses could face violations up to $1,500 and up to 180 days in jail.

These laws are put in place to keep kids safe around school busses as The New York State Education Department states that kids in grades K-3 (or ages 4-8) are "most susceptible to a school bus fatality."

Driver Narrowly Misses Student After Passing Stopped Bus in Deerpark, New York

According to a press release from Deerpark Police Chief, Richard Sztyndor, a driver from Wurtsboro almost struck a child with their vehicle near a stopped school bus.

In the statement we learned that 53-year-old Tricia-Borrero Orlando was arrested on November 13th, 2025 following "an investigation into an incident in which a vehicle passed a stopped school bus and nearly struck a child" back on October 31st, 2025.

From the statement we learn that police allege Orlando was speeding over the posted limit and then moved "unsafely from the travel lane onto the right shoulder to pass the stopped school bus."

While doing so, Orlando allegedly almost struck a child who was walking towards the bus.

Wurtsboro, New York Woman Charged With Endangering Welfare of a Child

Thankfully, no one was injured. However, the driver was arrested and charged.

The press release states that Orlando, was charged with multiple offenses that include the following:

reckless endangerment in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child, both Class A misdemeanors; reckless driving, an unclassified misdemeanor; and several traffic infractions, including speed not reasonable and prudent, speeding in a school zone, failing to reduce speed for certain conditions, failure to obey a traffic control device, failure to stop for a school bus, and unsafe lane change.

Orlando was issued an appearance ticket and is due back in Deerpark Town County on December 2nd, 2025.

The Deerpark Police Department adds "A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the law, and it is not evidence of guilt."

All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."