Pine Tree School Bus Driver Attacked

GREGG COUNTY — A Pine Tree ISD bus driver is recovering from an assault that happened while dropping off students on his route Monday afternoon. According to the Longview News-Journal, the name of the driver has not been released. No students were injured during the assault. Longview police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said the assault happened just before 4 p.m. near Old Hwy 80 and Breland Street.

“The driver was transporting his students for drop off and once the students exited the bus, an individual came on the bus and assaulted the driver,” district spokeswoman Mary Whitton said.

Brian said the assailant then left the scene in a private vehicle. The driver was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Counselors from all campuses were available at the elementary campuses Tuesday for students who might have witnessed the assault. Counselors were also available at the district’s transportation department. Additional School Resource Officers rode on the district’s buses Tuesday.