Family of 5-year-old killed by BPS bus sues driver, transportation company

The family of 5-year-old Lens Arthur Joseph, who was hit and killed in April by a BPS bus dropping him off after school in Hyde Park, is suing the bus driver and contractor Transdev, according to a lawsuit filed in Suffolk Superior Court.

“We are devoted to ensuring that Lens Joseph’s life will not be defined by his death,” said Attorney Matthew Fogelman, representing the family. “We seek justice for Lens and his family members, and we will remain resolute in that endeavor and honoring his legacy.”

Lens, a kindergartener at Up Academy in Dorchester, was crossing in front of his school bus on Washington Street in Hyde Park after school on April 28 when he was fatally hit. The kindergartener was with his 11-year-old cousin at the time.

The lawsuit alleges both Transdev, which contracts with Boston Public Schools to provide bus transportation, and the driver Jean Charles were negligent and inflicted emotional distress on the family.

The filing outlines the events of the day, noting that Charles was a substitute driver; hit two parked vehicles the same day with the children in the bus; missed the turn for Lens and his cousin’s stop; and dropped them on the wrong side of the street.

“The usual drop-off location would not require Lens and Jane Doe to cross the street in front of the bus to walk home,” the lawsuit reads. “The children would exit the bus and would be mere steps from their front lawn and then the house.”

The cousin, called Jane Doe in the filing, watched as the horrific events after unfolded. The child and other family members suffered “severe emotional distress with physical manifestations” including anxiety, depression sleep disturbances, behavioral abnormalities and more, the lawsuit states.

Charles had an expired certification necessary to drive a bus at the time of the accident, which was known to Transdev, the filing claims. The driver was fired shortly after the accident.

The lawsuit states Charles demonstrated negligent and reckless behavior that day, including hitting the other cars, failing to report the first accident, and missing the turn.

“At all times relevant to the Complaint, Transdev breached this duty by negligently hiring, negligently training, negligently supervising, and negligently monitoring its drivers, including but not limited to Jean Charles,” the lawsuit alleges.

Related Articles


Save the Dever: Honor the legacy Boston should never forget


BPS not planning to lay off staff impacted by federal funding freeze, superintendent says


Boston Teachers Union endorses Mayor Wu in reelection bid


Boston exam school admissions put under the microscope, again


Family of 8-year-old boy run over by Boston school bus sues BPS transportation provider

The filing also claims Transdev failed to implement policies and procedures ensuring the safety of children and technology including stop-arm cameras, extended stop arms, surround cameras, pedestrian detection sensors, and automatic braking.

The family is seeking damages to compensate for the family’s suffering and expenses and other relief.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous post FACT FOCUS: Trump claims cashless bail increases crime, but data is inconclusive
Next post Trump Proposes Rebates for US Taxpayers From Tariff Revenues