No charges expected in fatal school bus accident

JANESVILLE - No charges are expected to be filed in the school bus accident in rural Janesville that left an 11-year-old boy dead, authorities said Tuesday.

Justin Bradfield of Janesville was among the students getting off the bus at a stop along Dakota Avenue just before 4 p.m. The patrol said the sixth-grader dropped something and was struck when he walked back in front of the bus to retrieve it.

Lt. Rick Klein, a district commander with the patrol, said all of the safety equipment on the bus was working properly and no charges are expected against the driver, Michaela Siems-Dighton, 38, of Cedar Falls.

“It's been determined the driver of the bus did nothing wrong,” Klein said. “... She witnessed the kids leave the bus and clear the roadway, and for whatever reason, the child came back.”

Janesville Consolidated school district Superintendent Steve Gray said counselors were available Tuesday to help students deal with Justin's death.

“It's a tough day, a tough day. There are a lot of heavy hearts in there,” Gray said.

The community is rallying behind the Bradfield family and remembering Justin, he said.

“Just a pretty happy little guy, and we are going to miss him,” Gray said.