Public Opinion
GREENCASTLE, Pa. — A judge determined Wednesday that a Fayetteville assistant fire chief did not illegally pass a stopped school bus.
Greencastle Magisterial District Judge Duane K. Cunningham ruled that while the court takes seriously cases involving “our most vulnerable citizens,” or children, there were too many inconsistencies with the testimonies to find the firefighter guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Brady Matthew Bumbaugh, 23, of the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department, was cited on charges of overtaking a school bus and careless driving after an incident on Aug. 25, when a mother reported that the firetruck Bumbaugh was driving passed a stopped school bus in front of her house as firefighters responded to a residential fire alarm call.
Wendy Reasner, testified Wednesday that while her daughter was getting off the school bus that day in the area of Mt. Pleasant Road and Brookens Road, she heard the firetruck coming toward the stopped bus. Reasner said she ran across the street to where he daughter was getting off the bus, grabbed her daughter, then ran back across the street.
She said that seconds afterward, the firetruck drove past her and the school bus, while the bus was still in the mode of discharging children.
Bumbaugh testified that he did stop for the firetruck, and waited while watching Reasner and her daughter crossing the street. Bumbaugh, his brother Cody Bumbaugh and the junior firefighter who were all on the truck the day of the incident, testified on Bumbaugh’s behalf. There was also the testimony from a driver who came forward to Bumbaugh’s father after hearing about the accusations.
Bumbaugh’s attorney, Paula McDermott, argued that Reasner and her significant other, Ronald Wiegand, as well as an employee of Weigand’s, were inconsistent with their testimonies about seeing the incident. There was also a question about whether the bus lights and flashing stoplight were activated at the time.
McDermott questioned Weigand about being a firefighter, which he stated he currently is. She also questioned his relationship with Bumbaugh and his family, and he stated he had a good relationship with them and denied having a possible history of accusations against Bumbaugh.
Copyright 2014 Public Opinion
All Rights Reserved