Delco school-bus attack victims file suit
The families of two victims of a Delaware County school-bus assault, captured on a video that gained national attention, filed suit Monday against school officials and the bus driver, who they said did nothing to intervene.
The families of two victims of a Delaware County school-bus assault, captured on a video that gained national attention, filed suit Monday against school officials and the bus driver, who they said did nothing to intervene.
C.J. Buonadonna and Dylan Fonner allegedly were attacked by fellow students Oct. 9 while riding a Southeast Delco School District bus home from the Alternative High School in Media, part of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit.
The suit, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, alleges that despite repeated requests, the bus driver, Hykeem Green, refused to stop and let the victims off the bus, and that he did nothing to stop the attacks.
The suit further alleges that school officials failed to train, discipline, or sanction Green, who had previous traffic violations and a criminal history that included assault and false imprisonment.
Calls to Southeast Delco Superintendent Stephen D. Butz were not returned. Efforts to reach Green were unsuccessful.
The assault was videotaped by a student on the bus and posted on Facebook.
"The beating was absolutely atrocious," said Joseph S. Oxman, the victims' attorney. "What is more atrocious is the fact that defendant Hykeem Green does absolutely nothing to stop the beating or allow Dylan or C.J. off the bus, or even contact anyone."
Three students on the bus, who allegedly had bullied and teased Fonner and Buonadonna earlier in the day, began harassing them on the ride home. One student came up behind Fonner and punched him in the face four times. A second struck Fonner, knocking him into Buonadonna, according to the lawsuit.
Neither Green nor the school district notified police of the beatings.
Two unnamed assailants were charged as juveniles with aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, and related crimes.
Fonner and Buonadonna are seeking damages, attorneys' fees, and court costs, according to the lawsuit.
610-313-8111 @MariSchaefer