A student and a substitute bus driver both face charges after an altercation that occurred in Lakewood Friday afternoon.
Around 3 p.m., police responded to Bear Creek K-8 after reports of a disturbance on a school bus. The incident began when a 12-year-old male student cut in front of others to get on the bus.
Staff members asked the student to exit the bus, but he refused and cursed at the staff, according to the police report. The driver, 62-year-old David Blanchard, intervened and convinced the student to get off the bus. The student spoke with staff members and was then allowed to return to the bus.
Shortly after, Blanchard was speaking to the other students on the bus when the boy became disruptive and began yelling. According to the report, the situation escalated to a physical altercation between Blanchard and the student.
At one point, another student intervened to try to end the incident. Police said several students who witnessed the encounter are cooperating in the investigation.
The student who became disruptive sustained scratches and abrasions during the altercation and may face harassment charges for pushing the driver. He was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center by the Lakewood Police Department.
Blanchard, a substitute driver for the Jefferson County School District, was charged with child abuse and released on a summons from the Lakewood Police Department.
Anna Gauldin: 303-954-1666, agauldin@denverpost.com
