Florida bus driver charged in train crash posts bond, walks out of jail

Former Sumter County school bus driver released on $30K bond

A now former Sumter County school bus driver, Yvonne Hampton, 67, was released on a $30,000 bond after being charged with 29 counts of child neglect -- $1,000 per count. 

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. - A former Sumter County, Florida, school bus driver who allegedly put 29 students in danger when choosing to enter a railroad crossing with an incoming train was granted a $1,000 bond per student on the bus – totaling nearly $30,000.

Yvonne Hampton, 67, is charged with 29 counts of child neglect, as well as two misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and culpable negligence. The district said she quit in lieu of termination after concerns were raised.

Hampton was released from jail on Tuesday and quickly escorted to a nearby truck. She did not say anything and did not respond to questions from FOX 35's Manny Martinez.

Yvonne Hampton, 67, attended a first appearance on April 7, 2026. (Source: Sumter County courts)

What we know:

Hampton was released on bond, and was seen entering a red pickup truck with a male driver around 5:30 p.m. When asked what Hampton would say to the 29 children on the bus, she got into the truck and didn't respond. 

Former Sumter County bus driver released on bond

Yvonne Hampton, 67, was released on bond in Sumter County after being charged with child neglect after a train crashed into a school bus with students on it. FOX 35 crews caught Hampton leaving the jail on April 7. 

The backstory:

Hampton's charges come after the Sumter County Sheriff's office and Sumter County School District said she knowingly entered a railroad crossing in Bushnell – resulting in the back of the bus being hit by a CSX train. 

Read more: Florida school bus driver arrested after train crash with 29 students onboard

Yvonne Hampton, 67, is released on bond on April 7, 2026. 

The sheriff's office said Hampton "made the decision to cross the railroad tracks after she saw the railroad warning system activate," an arrest report said. 

Due to not having any prior convictions, prosecutors said they weren't opposed to a "reasonable bond." Hampton was issued two $500 bonds for the misdemeanors and $29,000 for the child neglect counts. 

New video: School bus vs train crash caught on camera

New video: Sumter County vs train crash caught on camera

New video obtained by FOX 35 shows a Sumter County school bus, driven by Yvonne Hampton, slowly inching forward across railroad tracks in Bushnell as a CSX train sweeps by and hits the back of the train. Hampton has now been charged with 29 counts of child neglect. 

Upon the conditions set by the court, Hampton was ordered to not have contact with any occupants of bus, not communicate with family of children, not return to school and not drive a bus.