Long Neck- The Delaware State Police have arrested 65-year-old Granville R. Lawson of Dagsboro on multiple counts of Reckless Endangering and Vehicular Assault, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.
Jaffe said on January 28, 2020, the Delaware State Police were made aware of an incident that occurred on a school bus transporting students home from the Long Neck Elementary School. Through further investigations, it was learned that the school bus driver, Granville R. Lawson, was traveling within the Bay City Mobile Home Park, Long Neck, for afternoon drop-offs.
Lawson allegedly slammed on the bus’s brakes intentionally, causing injury to multiple students on board, according to Jaffe. Lawson allegedly made an announcement over the PA system: “See what I can do when you get out of your seats”, officials said Tuesday. It was learned that Lawson made no announcements concerning children being out of their seats just prior to the forceful application of the bus’s brakes, added Jaffe. After the incident, Lawson continued with his drop-offs.
During this incident, there were a total of 30 students onboard ranging from ages 6 to 11 and a 77-year-old adult aid. Contact was made with all of the 30 students’ legal guardians and it was confirmed that 11 victims sustained injuries from this incident ranging from bruising to abrasions, and also concussion-like symptoms, according to Jaffe. The remaining 19 victims did not report any injury, however, all reported the incident. Ten of the parents whose children did not sustain injury declined prosecution in lieu of disciplinary action by the school.
Lawson was taken into custody while at Troop 4 on February 3, 2020, and charged with the following:
Reckless Endangering Second Degree (9 counts)
Vehicular Assault Third Degree (11 counts)
Lawson was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and released on his own recognizance.