Harper Woods bus driver leaves special needs student locked on vehicle
A 24-year-old student with autism was stranded inside a parked bus after a driver departed for a personal emergency.
By Larissa Shah ·
A Harper Woods school bus driver is on administrative leave after leaving an adult special needs student locked inside a parked vehicle on Monday afternoon. The district confirmed the driver was removed from service while an investigation reviews how the student was left unattended.
The incident occurred on October 26, 2026, during a trip home from a life skills program at Grosse Pointe North High School. Torre Jackson, 24, was riding the bus with other students. According to his mother, Cherie Jackson, the driver experienced a personal emergency while en route. She dropped off the other passengers but left Torre on the bus. Jackson stated the driver’s emergency was a need to use the bathroom, and she chose to return to the bus parked at Harper Woods High School without verifying Torre had exited.
Torre was unable to unlock the bus doors. He called his mother, who used a GPS tracker in his bag to locate the vehicle. Cherie Jackson called 911, and police dispatched high school security staff to retrieve Torre. The student described the experience as terrifying and uncomfortable. His mother said she feared the worst when he did not arrive home on time and his phone battery was at 22 percent.
Superintendent Steven McGhee issued a statement acknowledging that the driver failed to adhere to established exit protocols. The statement noted the driver did not verify that all passengers had safely disembarked before leaving the vehicle to attend to an urgent personal emergency. McGhee called the incident an isolated error in judgment that does not reflect the district’s usual practices. The district said it is conducting a thorough internal investigation to review circumstances and policies.
Cherie Jackson demanded answers from district officials following the incident. She said her son is now afraid to ride a bus again. Jackson urged drivers to be more aware of the students in their care, asking how they would feel if their own child were left in a similar situation.
The driver remains off the road pending the outcome of the investigation. The district stated it is committed to ensuring student safety during transportation. Torre and his mother have not yet indicated if they will return to the bus route.
The investigation is ongoing, with district officials reviewing the specific protocols for student exits. No timeline for the completion of the review has been announced.
