Bus driver involved in fatal collision with 11-year-old girl heads to trial in July

The school bus driver involved in the fatal collision last year with a middle schooler who was riding a bicycle is scheduled for trial in July, according to his attorney and court records.

Longtime bus driver Ivan Rivas was cited for a traffic violation in the Oct. 9 crash that killed 11-year-old Summer Lim.

Rivas’ private attorney Michael Stark said on Tuesday that his client feels “100% horrible” over the child’s death and said the incident is the worst thing to ever happen to him.

“Mr. Rivas loved the work he did for over 20 years. His greatest concern has always been the safety of the children,” Stark said. “This is a horrible tragedy, and there has not been a moment Mr. Rivas wasn’t doing everything he could to the best of his ability. He is not a guilty man.”

Stark added that his client is not facing any jail time.

It was not clear on Tuesday afternoon if Rivas remains employed with the district.

Rivas was cited for negligent driving of a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner and endangering property, life and person. His trial is scheduled for July 30 in Montgomery County District Court.

Summer, who attended Earle B. Wood Middle School, was riding her bicycle on the sidewalk along Bauer Drive prior to the crash. She attempted to cross Russett Road and entered the crosswalk at about 3:15 p.m., less than half a mile from the school.

Montgomery County Police determined that both she and Rivas contributed to her death.

The police reconstruction team, which investigates traffic fatalities, said the girl was “at fault in the collision for entering the crosswalk while the bus was already occupying the intersection.”

Police also determined that Rivas, who has worked for Montgomery County Public Schools since 2001 and had driven the route for more than 15 years, “was negligent for moving the bus forward after initially coming to a stop,” according to a January statement.

Detectives found that after the initial impact, Rivas drove 27 feet farther.

A district spokesperson did not immediately respond to The Banner’s inquiry. The district said in January that Rivas’ employment status was a “confidential personnel matter.”