Broward school bus driver dies after being struck by bus at transportation lot
Key Points(5)
- A Broward County school bus driver died after another school bus struck him at the district's Pompano Beach transportation lot before sunrise Wednesday.
- Alfred Desmandes, 69, was walking toward the building when the collision happened at about 5:29 a.m., according to a Broward Sheriff's Office traffic-homicide report.
- The driver of the bus told detectives he never saw Desmandes crossing the lot.
- His explanation has left Desmandes' family focused on one detail from the early-morning scene: the parking lot lights were not illuminated.
- Advertisement BSO has not said why the lights were off or identified the lighting as the cause of the crash.
A Broward County school bus driver has died after he was struck by another school bus at a district transportation facility in Pompano Beach.
Alfred Desmandes, 69, was walking toward a building at the transportation lot when he was struck at about 5:29 a.m. Wednesday, according to a Broward Sheriff's Office traffic-homicide report.
The other bus driver, identified as 68-year-old Steven Becker, told investigators he did not see Desmandes as he crossed the parking lot because the lot's lights were not illuminated.
Authorities have not said why the lights were off or determined that the lighting contributed to the collision. Investigators said excessive speed and impairment are not considered factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.
According to the sheriff's office, Becker had been at gas pumps on the east side of the building and was leaving the area when he made a U-turn to travel west through the parking lot.
At the same time, Desmandes was walking southwest toward the building. Investigators said Desmandes crossed into the path of the bus and was struck by its front driver's side.
Pompano Beach Fire Rescue transported Desmandes to Broward Health North with life-threatening injuries. The Broward County Medical Examiner's Office notified traffic-homicide detectives the following day that he had died at the hospital.
Broward County Public Schools' staff directory lists Desmandes as a relief bus operator assigned to the district's north transportation operation.
The school district said Becker would be reassigned from driving duties while authorities investigate the collision.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn said district officials are cooperating with the Broward Sheriff's Office and that crisis counselors are providing support to those grieving Desmandes' death.
