HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A judge has approved a $175,000 settlement in a lawsuit against Horry County Schools and a former school bus driver after an incident involving an 8-year-old girl.
The lawsuit stems from an Aug. 25, 2023, incident in which the child, a student at Pee Dee Elementary School, fell asleep on the bus while riding home and missed her stop.
According to court records, the child suffered injuries on a school bus owned by Horry County Schools and operated by former driver Thomas Michael Interlandi. Records show Interlandi left his employment with the District four days after the incident.
The family, along with the civil rights group True Healing Under God, publicly released video footage of the incident.
RELATED: Family sues HCS, bus driver after girl’s arm trapped in door
The family alleges Interlandi closed the bus door on the child’s arm and drove away while her arm remained trapped.
Court records show a judge approved the settlement, which was provided through the state’s Insurance Reserve Fund.
The lawsuit accused Interlandi and Horry County Schools of negligence. Both have denied the allegations.
ABC15 has reached out to Horry County Schools for comment and is awaiting a response.
