School Bus Service Suspended on St. Croix After Attack on Driver

School bus service was suspended in the St. Croix District on Thursday following a violent incident Wednesday in which a driver was punched, kicked and stomped on by three students while he lay on the floor of the bus, suffering injuries that required his hospitalization.

The V.I. Education Department issued the announcement at 7 a.m. Thursday, advising parents and guardians that the suspension applies to all routes and stops, and that they should make arrangements to deliver their children to their respective schools. It is unclear when service might resume.

The statement came just hours before one of the students was due to appear for his advice of rights hearing Thursday morning at V.I. Superior Court on St. Croix. Caleave Nigel Mascall Jr., 18, was arrested and charged with third-degree assault following the incident and is currently being held at the John A. Bell Adult Correction Facility after being unable to post bail set at $25,000.