30 days for Tri-Valley Bus Driver
The courtroom of Judge Vinsel was emotional as he handed down his sentence for Tri-Valley bus driver, Carol Oler in the accident that led to the death of 6-year-old Kasey King.
Oler was led away by a Muskingum County Deputy as her husband tried to say good-bye and her son begged to say good-bye to his mother.
In the end a plea from Oler’s attorney and Oler herself was not enough to keep the 48-year-old from serving a 30 day sentence for vehicular manslaughter and failure to control.
"I’m really sorry for Kasey’s death and the rest of the children hurt in the accident," said a crying Oler. "I never meant for it to happen. I really do love those kids as my own and that’s it."
"My client would be the first to go sit there as long as she could to bring Kasey back," explained Oler’s attorney David Mortimer. "My client is going to have to live with this the rest of her life, that’s the worst punishment she could have."
Judge Vinsel said he made the decision based on evidence stating it was clear she wasn’t being honest about an alleged vehicle that may have caused the bus to leave the roadway.
"One of the first time we went into court he told her don’t lie," said King’s Father Joseph Thomas. "He obviously picked up on it looking at the evidence and watching the video. I’m happy with the decision just trying to get some justice for Kasey."
King’s mother, Randi, said that the sentence only ends the story and the 6-year-old’s death is something they all struggle with on a daily basis.
"He was here for a reason and in his six short years he’s accomplished more than most people will in a lifetime."
Along with the thirty day sentence Oler will also have her driver’s license suspended for two years.
The Tri-Valley School District’s Superintendent Mark Neal said Oler remains on unpaid administrative leave but her status is under evaluation.
Neal said, "Mrs Oler was a good employee and this is nothing but a tragic unfortunate accident. Driving the school bus is an enormous responsibility and this incident has impacted the school district deeply."
