Osceola County, Iowa — Osceola County authorities have received complaints of drivers who have passed stopped school buses in recent weeks.
According to Osceola County authorities, they investigated a complaint about a vehicle passing a stopped Sibley-Ocheyedan school bus on Tuesday February 25th. Authorities say their investigation led to a citation being issued to 59-year-old Graciela Lopez of Sibley.
Then, on Saturday February 29th, Osceola County authorities received a complaint of a vehicle passing a stopped school bus behind the Sibley-Ocheyedan School. Deputies say their investigation revealed that there were two school buses behind the school, letting off students. Deputies say one bus had it’s flashing lights operating and stop arm extended, the other bus did not. Deputies say Sibley-Ocheyedan Liaison Officer and Activities Director Doyle Naig allegedly passed the bus that did not have it’s lights and stop arm activated, then continued around the second bus that did have it’s stop arm extended and lights activated. Deputies say that Naig was driving a Sibley-Ocheyedan Schools vehicle at the time of the incident. He was reportedly cited for passing a stopped school bus.
With COVID-19 forcing schools statewide to close, you’ll most likely not be seeing school buses on our roadways over the next few weeks. However once classes resume, please pay close attention, and avoid passing a stopped school bus from EITHER direction. For a first offense, the Iowa Code calls for a fins of $250 to $675, possible imprisonment for up to 30-days, as well as a 30-day license suspension. But if you hit a child, the potential damage is immeasurable.
