Hudson Valley School Bus Driver Confesses to Fatal Hit-And-Run

A Hudson Valley woman fatally hit a man with her school bus and fled the scene.

On Monday in Orange County Court, 52-year-old Deborah Berrios of Plattekill pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, in connection with the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a school bus that Berrios was driving.

Berrios confessed she knew she hit a man with her school bus on Robinson Avenue in the City of Newburgh, on November 28, 2018, around 5:40 a.m., and knew the man was injured. Berrios also admitted to leaving the scene and not reporting the incident, leaving the dying man in the roadway.

“Not all traffic fatalities are criminal, and this defendant had no criminal liability for the initial striking of the pedestrian,” Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said. “However, there was no excuse for not stopping and reporting the incident. Leaving the injured and dying man in the roadway without alerting the police, or calling for help, is criminal conduct for which this defendant must be held accountable.”

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There were no children or other occupants on the bus at the time the collision occurred. Berrios is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on August 26.

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