‘No excuses’: Parents launch school bus safety campaign following death of 7-year-old boy

Parents have launched a ‘No Excuses’ bus safety campaign after the death of seven-year-old Dante Caranci as he got off a bus last year. Gerry Dewan reports.

The death of seven-year-old Dante Caranci last December devastated his family, friends, and school community.

Now members of that school community have organized the ‘No Excuses’ campaign to put new emphasis on school bus safety.

“The campaign was really focused on raising awareness, sharing that there are absolutely no excuses for breaking the law as it’s putting children in danger,” said Katie Dechene, a member of Community Bus Safety Committee.

Dante Caranci attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School in Delaware.

He had just exited his bus at the end of the school day on Dec. 16, 2024, when he was struck and killed.

The incident happened on Longwoods Road, near Murray Road in Lambeth.

Community Bus Safety Committee member Lauren Preston told CTV News that incidents where drivers pass school buses are too common.

“The province of Ontario did a study in 2023, I believe, where they estimated that 30,000 drive-bys happen per day in Ontario, which is beyond shocking. That is a terrible statistic. And that’s 30,000 opportunities where our children are actually put in danger,” she said.

The committee has created a campaign that can be used in a number of different ways, including billboards, rink boards and social media posts.

“We really feel strongly about this initiative,” said Preston. “Given the time of year, drivers are distracted. They either don’t know the rules of the road, they don’t care, or again, they just really distracted. We see drive-bys in our neighborhood all the time.”

The committee is offering the resources at no charge to anyone who wants to donate ad space, or fundraise to buy space, to promote the bus safety message.

“I think that the campaign message about ‘No Excuses’ is really that moment to slow down and make really good choices, follow the law and make sure that everyone is safe,” she said.

In June police announced charges against two people in connection with Dante Caranci’s death.

Atir Gayyur Mir, 47, of Milton, has been charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death. Police allege the courier making deliveries in the region passed the bus which had safety lights flashing and the stop sign displayed.

Also charged was Jose Lema, 82, of London. He has been charged with criminal negligence causing death. Police say evidence indicates the 81-year-old bus driver ignored many safety steps when allowing Caranci to exit the bus.

Both cases are still before the courts.