Bus driver in crash that killed 11-year-old bicyclist pays fine to avoid trial

A longtime bus driver for Montgomery County schools paid a $390 fine in connection with the crash that killed 11-year-old Summer Lim, his attorney said on Thursday.

Ivan Rivas, 56, who drove the same bus route for Montgomery County Public Schools for more than a decade, on Thursday opted to pay the fine and accept 3 points on his driving record instead of going to trial, said Attorney Michael Stark.

“All he ever wanted to do was be an example for these kids and an example for school workers, and that’s what he was for 25 years,” Stark said of Rivas. “He’s always wished it could be him rather than her.”

Rivas was behind the wheel on Oct. 9 when the bus struck Summer Lim, who attended Earle B. Wood Middle School. She was riding her bicycle on the sidewalk along Bauer Drive prior to the crash, attempted to cross Russett Road and entered the crosswalk at about 3:15 p.m., less than half a mile from the school.

In January, police said they had found that both Rivas and Lim bore responsibility for the incident.

Montgomery County Police‘s collision 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.”

The team also determined that Rivas, who has worked for Montgomery County Public Schools since 2001, “was negligent for moving the bus forward after initially coming to a stop,” according to a January statement.

Rivas was cited for negligent driving of a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner and endangering property, life and person.

He was prepared to go to trial in Montgomery County District Court but then changed his mind, said Stark, who added that the court had given him three options: go to trial, plead guilty or pay the fine and accept the points on his driving record.

“He said paying the ticket was the best course for him,” Stark said, noting that Lim’s parents were in court on Thursday. He said his client didn’t want to go through a trial that would be painful for all parties involved.

Detectives determined that after the initial impact, Rivas drove another 27 feet.

Rivas had a spotless driving record prior to the deadly crash, Stark said, and will most likely lose the job he loves because of it.

“He understands consequences are going to flow from that, but his sorrow could not be greater or more sincere,” Stark said.

The Banner was unable to reach the Lim family Thursday.

MCPS spokesperson Liliana López said Thursday: “As a matter of policy, we do not comment on personnel matters.”