Man allegedly beats school bus driver to death after he accidentally knocked off mirror


Published June 24, 2012

Associated Press

NEW YORK – A school bus driver who was beaten into a coma after a minor traffic accident along his route has died of his injuries, his employer said Saturday.

Juan DelValle, 65, was taken off life support and died Friday at the hospital where he had been treated since the June 11 attack, an Atlantic Express Transportation Group spokeswoman said.

"The career of a school bus driver is a demanding one with great responsibility, but it should never be one where hardworking, honorable people are subjected to vicious and senseless violence," the company said in a statement.

DelValle, an Atlantic Express employee for eight years, was driving down a Bronx street when his yellow bus clipped the side mirror on a double-parked car. Two middle school students were on the bus at the time; they weren't hurt.

DelValle got out of the bus, and the car's driver accosted and punched him, authorities said. With the middle-schoolers looking on, DelValle was knocked off his feet, and his head hit the pavement.

He never regained consciousness, Atlantic Express spokeswoman Carolyn Daly said.

The car's driver has been charged with assault and is jailed on $250,000 bond. He hasn't entered a plea, court records show. He's due back in court on Monday.

DelValle, who was from Puerto Rico, was preparing to retire, Daly said.

"He was a wonderful, gentle man who did his job professionally and with great dedication and compassion," the company said.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

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