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Fight Between School Bus Driver, Student Was Frightening, Witness Says

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - A student who was on a school bus in Lakewood when the driver and another student allegedly got into a fight told CBS4 it was a frightening situation.

Kaden Burnett, 13, boarded the bus on Friday after classes had let out at Bear Creek K-8 School. The fight happened as they were set to leave.

"A teacher broke it up and got all the kids off the bus and the kids were, like, terrified and just cried," Burnett said.

Lakewood police responded, and now the driver -- David Blanchard, 62 -- is facing child abuse charges. The 12-year-old student involved could also be facing a harrassment charge.

According to officers the student was being disruptive before things turned physical.

Burnett says the student was mouthing off and then tried leaving the bus.

witness
(credit: CBS)

"He just got up and started shoulder bumping him and stuff and then he tried climbing over the seat and the bus driver pushed him down (in the chest area)," he said.

At that point Burnett called his mother Allison to tell her what was happening.

"I knew it was a substitute, it's not the regular driver and I was like 'What is going on? These are elementary school kids,' " she said.

The school quickly sent out a letter to parents explaining what happened and offering support to those who were frightened.

Allison says despite the students behavior, the driver should have known better.

"The kid was bumping him but he's also the adult in the situation. To me, he had already called the administrator for help. They knew who the kid his. Let him off the bus," she said.

The student had several scratches and abrasions from the altercation. A second student who tried to intervene did not have any injuries but Blanchard is facing child abuse charges against both students.

Police say cameras on the bus malfunctioned and didn't record, leaving it to witnesses to explain what happened.

Blanchard was released from custody on a summons.

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