BPS bus driver resigns following Hyde Park accident that killed 5-year-old boy

A BPS bus driver resigned after he was suspended for an accident that killed -year-old Lens Arthur Joseph in late April district staff noted Thursday The death of a child is a horrible tragedy that no family should have to endure a district spokesperson mentioned Thursday Over the past two weeks BPS Transportation has gathered information on the events of April and begun implementing an ongoing after action review and response BPS identified the bus driver as Jean Charles an employee for Transdev since May Charles resigned on Wednesday just prior to when his termination hearing was set to begin district functionaries commented The resignation comes just over two weeks after Lens a kindergartener at Up Academy in Dorchester was struck and killed by a school bus after being dropped off on Washington Street in Hyde Park after school on April Family members say Lens was with his -year old cousin at the time In the hours after the tragedy the BPS spokesperson disclosed district transportation administrators and Transdev worked with the law enforcement on the scene and the company directly placed the driver on leave Charles had an expired school bus certificate at the time of the accident according to BPS and the city one of three licenses required to be a school bus driver in Massachusetts BPS was notified of the expired license after the accident the district and city stated Charles had the necessary qualifications to renew the certificate and had been notified according to BPS and the city but had not done so BPS stated it does not independently verify the drivers licenses or hire and employ drivers School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson and Superintendent Mary Skipper both commented during a Wednesday night meeting on the deaths of Lens and another -year-old apprentice at the Roosevelt K- School named Marvin calling the loss profound and devastating Details were not given on how the second participant died I just want to reassure the committee in the development of Lens and our bus accident Skipper commented We directly have started to work with Transdev which is the contractor that does our hiring and training of our bus drivers to ensure that our bus driver group has been appropriately trained and to make sure that they re supported Because in any situation in which there is a loss of life of a participant that goes through the entire district Skipper revealed the district has been working straightaway to aid the families and school communities Related Articles Boston strikes deal opening union job opportunities for Madison Park grads Josh Kraft unveils plan to revamp Boston Citizens Schools says Michelle Wu has failed district Boston councilors urge city to make streets safer after boy killed New Boston Teachers Union contract approved by School Committee BPS reaches on-time morning buses lays out plan for more efficient transportation Within the last two weeks safety leadership started reporting all safety incidents at daily operations meetings and Transdev has added safety staff in Boston Transdev is also accelerating drivers regular trainings on pickup drop off and accident protocols BPS noted the district is as of now supporting the ongoing review led by the Suffolk County DA s Office and Boston Police The district spokesperson explained they are working to share accurate information with the constituents as hastily and thoughtfully as achievable which will be informed by the release of investigative conclusions A BPS spokesperson disclosed We mourn the death of Lens Joseph and grieve with his family at this terrible time