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North Carolina Wheelchair-Bound Teacher, Who Was Expecting First Child, Dies After Being Struck By Private Bus In School Parking Lot

By Angelica N. Sumter
Published on: 11:17 PST, Feb 10, 2016

Tragedy strikes when a North Carolina teacher Brandon Kincaid, 25, of Goldsboro, who was bound to a wheelchair, was struck and killed by a private bus in a school parking lot where he worked as a second-grade teacher, according to the Daily Mail. At approximately 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Kincaid – who is expecting his first child with his wife of seven years, Sara – had just arrived at Meadow Lane Elementary on 3500 E. Ash Street and was on his way to start the day teaching his 21 students.

However, the second-year school teacher never made it to his classroom as he was struck by a private school bus in the parking lot, which was owned by a Small World Day Care center, driven by 56-year-old Ray Batts. Unfortunately, several students who were being dropped off by their parents witnessed the tragedy as it unfolded, claiming that it happened so abruptly that all they remember seeing was the teacher underneath the school bus.

One student, Samantha Cannon, said that after the teacher was hit by the school bus, several students were overwhelmed with emotion, reported WNCN. She added that “There was a lot of people crying in my class and me and some of my other classmates went into the library to talk about it.” As a result of the tragedy, school officials stated that there were a “team of grief counselors available to them for as long as needed.” But after the student’s parents learned of the tragedy, 175 out of 639 students that attended the elementary school were picked up early.

“I’m a little emotional because I don’t really know what they’re going through,” said Taniesha Thompson, whose children were getting off of the school bus when the teacher was struck in the parking lot. She went on to say that her children has yet to say anything regarding the tragedy, except that they “saw him [teacher] under the bus.”

The teacher, who had a physical disability that left him bound to a wheel chair, was immediately rushed to Wayne Memorial Hospital following the incident, but he later died. After Wayne County Superintendent Dr. Michael Dunsmore learned about the death of one of his teachers, he said “I think this was his life’s passion and it is just breaking my heart. It is a very, very sad situation. It’s difficult, but we get our people out there and listen and do the best we can to support them and get them through this.”

Kincaid, who was also a youth pastor at Neuse Baptist Church in Kinston, is remembered as a great teacher who was elated about the birth of his first child, a son named Benjamin, in June. On his Facebook page, he posted a photo of his son’s ultrasound where his son appeared to be showing his thumb. Under the post, Kincaid stated that “He’s already go the patented Kincaid thumbs up! Benjamin Taylor Kincaid is ready to make is presence.”

A Go Fund Me page was set up by the teacher’s family who wrote, “Brandon had an infectious smile, a huge heart, and a gentle soul. Although he was wheelchair bound, he never allowed his disability to get in the way of living life and being an example to others. He lived every moment to the fullest and encouraged others in every way possible.” They are hoping to raise $20k for Kincaid’s funeral expenses.

It is unclear if the driver of the school bus that fatally struck the second-grade teacher will face any charges, but as of yet no arrests have been made. However, the investigation is ongoing.

[Image via Getty Images/Aaraon P. Bernstein]

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