Woman Arrested After Passing A Stopped School Bus And Nearly Striking A Child: Police

DEERPARK, NY — Town of Deerpark Police Department Chief Richard Sztyndor announced the arrest of 53-year-old Tricia-Borrero Orlando, of Wurtsboro, after an investigation into a vehicle passing a stopped school bus and nearly striking a child.

Police say the the incident took place on October 31, on U.S. Route 209 in the Town of Deerpark, near H.B.E. Elementary School. Orlando was allegedly driving a vehicle in a school zone at a speed exceeding the posted limit and moving unsafely from the travel lane to the right shoulder to pass the stopped school bus, nearly striking a child who was approaching it, according to police.

No one was injured during the incident.

Orlando was arrested on Thursday, and charged with misdemeanor second-degree reckless endangerment, misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanor reckless driving, and several traffic infractions, including speed not reasonable and prudent, speeding in a school zone, failing to reduce speed for certain conditions, failure to obey a traffic control device, failure to stop for a school bus, and unsafe lane change.

Orlando was processed at the Town of Deerpark Police Department and issued appearance tickets to return to Deerpark Town Court on December 2.

Chief Sztyndor emphasized the Town of Deerpark Police Department's commitment to student safety, noting that there are three schools in the town, and that violations involving stopped school buses are taken extremely seriously. He said the incident had the potential for a tragic outcome and thanked the Port Jervis School District and We Transport for their prompt reporting and cooperation during the investigation.