An Horry County, South Carolina, school bus driver allegedly told an 8-year-old girl that having her arm caught in the closing bus door 'serves you right' and continued driving with the child partially dragged alongside the vehicle, according to a federal lawsuit settled this week for $175,000.
Background
The incident occurred on August 25, 2023, when Stephanie Floyd-McInnis's daughter was set to exit her school bus at a stop in the Conway area. According to the federal lawsuit filed against the Horry County School District and bus driver Thomas Michael Interlandi, the girl spotted dogs near her stop that frightened her and retreated back into the bus rather than disembark.
Interlandi allegedly reacted with anger, 'angrily demanding' the child get off despite her fear of the animals. When she refused, citing the dogs, the lawsuit claims the driver shut the bus door—trapping the girl's arm inside—and then reversed the vehicle to a location away from the canines.
The girl repeatedly told Interlandi that her arm was caught in the door, but the driver allegedly continued driving anyway, according to plaintiff's attorneys at the Bailey Law Firm. The child's mother later told WMBF that her daughter suffered 'severe' injuries requiring medical treatment.
"As a mother, my first priority is to make sure that my daughter is safe and cared for at all times," Floyd-McInnis said in a statement. "This bus driver and the school system failed my child in this instance."
Legal Proceedings
Beyond the civil lawsuit, criminal charges were filed against Interlandi. The Horry County Sheriff's Office arrested him on charges of unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing harm, according to the lawsuit. However, those criminal charges were later dismissed.
"Rather, it was an inhumane abuse of official power and shocking to the conscious," plaintiff's attorney Tyler D. Bailey wrote in court filings regarding Interlandi's conduct. "He was later arrested by law enforcement and criminally charged for his actions in this matter."
The civil complaint alleged that Horry County School District was negligent in hiring Interlandi and failed to provide him with adequate training. The district ultimately agreed to the $175,000 settlement without admitting wrongdoing.
"No parent should have to wonder whether their child is safe on the ride home from school," Bailey told WMBF. "This resolution holds the system accountable and forces a conversation about the safeguards our schools owe these kids."
Interlandi was terminated by the district following the incident.
Key Takeaways
- Incident occurred August 25, 2023 in Conway, South Carolina within Horry County School District
- Bus driver Thomas Michael Interlandi allegedly trapped girl's arm in door and continued driving after she said it hurt
- Driver allegedly told child having her arm caught 'serves you right'
- Criminal charges of unlawfully placing a child at risk were dismissed
- Horry County School District settled for $175,000, alleged negligent hiring and insufficient training
What's Next
The settlement marks the conclusion of this civil matter. Interlandi remains terminated from his position with Horry County Schools. The district has not announced any policy changes in response to the incident.
"While we are looking forward to putting this matter behind us, I felt it was important to step up for my daughter and to also ensure that other parents were made aware of what transpired on that bus," Floyd-McInnis said.