Myrtle Beach News: SC Student Fell Out of School Bus; Family Settles Lawsuit
Conway, Myrtle Beach
The family of a Carolina Forest Elementary School student who fell out of a moving bus in 2022 recently settled a lawsuit with Horry County Schools for $40,000, according to court records.
Jamie Sharpe, the child’s mother, sued the school district and the S.C. Board of Education after her daughter tumbled out of the bus when the emergency door opened on Feb. 15, 2022. The bus was traveling over 20 miles per hour at the time.
As part of the settlement, the school district and the state, which owns the buses, did not admit liability. They agreed to pay the sum “to purchase peace and avoid litigation,” according to the order approving the settlement. The complaint was formally dismissed Feb. 28.
Horry County Schools spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier declined to comment on the settlement.
Lawsuit Allegations
The lawsuit accused the school district of not sufficiently inspecting the bus before the 2022 trip and not properly supervising the students on board. The students were engaged in raucous behavior, horseplaying, and hitting other students throughout the bus, including in the emergency exit row and surrounding seats.
Sharpe’s daughter was sitting by the emergency exit because another student was in her assigned seat, according to the lawsuit. When the door opened and the child fell out, her head hit the ground, resulting in road rash on her hands and body.
The bus driver, who wasn’t identified in court records, did not stop driving for 30 seconds and only did so because another student told him a girl had fallen out, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit blamed the school district for not having adequate rules and procedures to prevent students from being injured.
School District Response
In its response, the school district argued that the bus driver had checked the emergency door as part of his morning routine and it appeared to be working at that time. The school district insisted it was not responsible for the child’s injuries.
The girl received medical treatment but is expected to make a full recovery, according to court records.
Alonzo Holloway, the family’s attorney, could not be reached for comment.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
