A Broward County school bus driver died after another school bus struck him at the district’s Pompano Beach transportation lot before sunrise Wednesday.
Alfred Desmandes, 69, was walking toward the building when the collision happened at about 5:29 a.m., according to a Broward Sheriff’s Office traffic-homicide report.
The driver of the bus told detectives he never saw Desmandes crossing the lot. His explanation has left Desmandes’ family focused on one detail from the early-morning scene: the parking lot lights were not illuminated.
BSO has not said why the lights were off or identified the lighting as the cause of the crash. Detectives say excessive speed and impairment are not considered contributing factors, and the investigation remains open.
Before Sunrise
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Broward County Public Schools’ staff directory lists Desmandes as a relief bus operator assigned to its north transportation operation.
His cousin, Lundy Accime, told NBC Miami that the family was devastated. She said Desmandes’ only son was beside himself after his father’s death and wanted accountability for what happened while Desmandes was at work.
Desmandes’ son, Kendrick, later told Local 10 that his father had worked as a bus driver for more than 30 years. He said he believes the crash was preventable and questioned why the lot was dark when his father was struck.
Across The Lot
The sheriff’s report identifies the other driver as Steven Becker, 68. Becker had been at the gas pumps on the east side of the building and was leaving them when he made a U-turn to head west through the parking lot.
At the same time, Desmandes was walking southwest toward the building. Becker told detectives he did not see Desmandes because the parking-lot lights were not illuminated.
BSO’s reconstruction says Desmandes crossed into the bus’s path and was struck by the front driver’s side. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue took him to Broward Health North with life-threatening injuries.
The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office notified traffic-homicide detectives the following day that Desmandes had died at the hospital.
Still Open
Broward County Public Schools said the driver involved in the collision would be reassigned from driving duties while the investigation continued. Superintendent Howard Hepburn said district staff were cooperating with BSO and that crisis counselors were supporting people grieving Desmandes’ death.
The district statement carried by NBC Miami did not address why the parking-lot lights were not illuminated at the time of the crash.
BSO’s latest public update says neither excessive speed nor impairment is considered a contributing factor. Local 10 reported Friday that no charges had been filed, and the traffic-homicide investigation remains ongoing.