PUNTA GORDA - A Charlotte County school bus driver and two students were arrested Wednesday by Charlotte County Sheriff's deputies stemming from an incident that occurred on a bus Tuesday afternoon.
According to a CCSO report, bus driver Albert M. Taylor told deputies he was having a problem with several students on his bus. Taylor, 66, stopped the vehicle to speak with the students who were causing the disturbance; he used a seat belt to restrain one of the students involved and contacted CCSO.
Several other students became upset with Taylor following his actions.
At one point Taylor asked a 13-year-old student to come speak with him at the front of the bus and he refused. Taylor then walked to the rear of the bus to get the juvenile. The student's 15-year-old brother jumped into the aisle and headed for Taylor, yelling vulgarities at the driver as he walked towards the 13-year-old.
Taylor then turned around and slapped the 15-year-old boy in the face and grabbed him by the throat. The 13-year-old then headed toward Taylor as the driver went back toward his seat at the front of the bus.
The 15-year-old followed and an altercation began when the juvenile pushed Taylor in the chest and hit him in the face. The 13-year-old also got involved and hit Taylor in his right side.
A video camera on the bus recorded the entire incident and is currently in the custody of CCSO as the investigation continues.
Wednesday afternoon CCSO deputies arrested Taylor on a charge of simple battery on a juvenile, a misdemeanor.
The 13 and 15-year-old brothers were also arrested and charged with felony assault or battery on a specified official or employee. The juveniles are both students at Punta Gorda Middle School.
Taylor posted bond and was released; the two juveniles were booked and released to their parents.
