HOUSTON – Montgomery Independent School District is investigating a video of a bus driving through floodwaters that went viral last week.
Karin Baker Williams, a parent of a Montgomery ISD eighth-grader,posted the bus video on her Facebook page on May 28 with the caption:
"This was our 8th grader's bus ride home yesterday."
Williams said she initially saw the video when her 14-year-old son shared it on Instagram.
"I was shocked and in disbelief," Williams said.
The video shows students on a bus in which the driver was going through high water.You can hear one of the students say, "You can't even see the road. You can barely see the road."
The video has been shared more than 8,300 shares on Facebook and nearly 500,000 views with many parents angry about the bus driver's decision to keep going.
"That's uncalled for. The board needs to see this," Peggy Williams Rainwater wrote.
"The bus driver should never have went through that water and put those children in harm's way. I'm glad it turned out OK," Mario Ripkowski wrote.
"That is just insane. I am so upset that MISD risked all our lives yesterday. Very bad choice on their part," Stacie Vinther May wrote.
Montgomery ISD released a statement Tuesday regarding the video and parent concerns:
"Montgomery ISD is aware of the viral video released via social media last Saturday showing a Montgomery ISD Bus traveling down a subdivision road with high water surrounding it. We are currently investigating the authenticity of the video as well as discussing the situation with parents and transportation personnel. Currently,our standard operating procedures for drivers in high water situations are: stop, observe traffic (any other vehicles crossing), can you see the road (stripes/markings), is the water less than 4 inches in depth, if not, then proceed and if the water does not cross the 1st step on the bus, the driver can continue across the low water area. If the water comes across the 1st step, the driver is to stop and reverse course. The safety and security of MISD students is always our number one concern and we will be reviewing practices and training procedures"
Williams said the video caused her to question the school district's policy, but she said she's happy to know the district has a procedure in place.
"I just wanted to make sure that they were looking into it," Williams said.
Severe weather hit the surrounding parts of Houston May 26, causing major flooding in several areas. The Montgomery County judge issued a local disaster declaration due to the flooding.
No one was injured, and the students safely returned home.
KPRC 2 will continue to follow this story and update when the school district completes its investigation.