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Official: Evansville school bus driver hit by parent

Posted at 10:37 AM, Nov 20, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-20 13:36:06-05

An Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation bus driver was confronted and hit by a parent while on the bus’ morning route Thursday, but the driver was not seriously injured, police and school officials said.

The incident happened around 7:15 a.m. near the intersection of Judson Street and Jefferson Avenue, and involved a bus en route to Glenwood Leadership Academy.

According to the Evansville Police Department, the parent was identified as Pierre Kenneth Johnston, 35, of Evansville.

Marsha Jackson, a spokeswoman for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp., said Johnston entered the bus and had a “heated discussion” with the driver before striking the driver and fleeing the scene.

Police believe Johnston was upset over a prior incident involving his child and the bus driver. EVSC officials are reviewing the case.

Jackson said there were several students on board when the incident happened but none were involved.

The driver was able to complete the bus route and dropped students off at school.