Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — In a concerning incident on March 11, 2025, William Jose Rivera Ramos, 37, of Thief River Falls, was arrested following a blatant violation of school bus safety laws and subsequent attempts to mislead authorities.
Incident Details
At approximately 9:00 AM on March 11, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a school bus stop-arm violation on Highway 59, south of Thief River Falls. The violation occurred as children were boarding the bus from their driveway, with the bus’s stop arm engaged and lights flashing.
Investigation and Arrest
Deputies traced the suspect vehicle to the Seven Clans Casino, Hotel, and Water Park, where Rivera Ramos was employed. Upon questioning, he admitted to failing to stop for the school bus. Further investigation revealed that Rivera Ramos had provided a false name and date of birth during initial contact with law enforcement. A subsequent check uncovered an outstanding warrant for his removal from the United States, which he acknowledged.
Legal Consequences
Under Minnesota law, passing a school bus with flashing lights and extended stop arm is a serious offense, classified as a gross misdemeanor. Penalties can include fines up to $500 and potential criminal charges, especially if a child is injured or killed. Additionally, providing false identification to law enforcement is a criminal act, further complicating Rivera Ramos’s legal situation.
Did You Know?
-
In Minnesota, failing to stop for a school bus with activated flashing lights and stop arm can result in a fine of at least $500. American Experiment
-
Recent legislative discussions in Minnesota have considered eliminating mandatory fines for school bus stop-signal arm violations, though such bills have not been enacted. The US Sun+2trackbill.com+2American Experiment+2
-
All 50 U.S. states prohibit passing a stopped school bus with flashing lights and extended stop arm, underscoring the importance of this safety measure.The US Sun+1Minnesota Department of Public Safety+1
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.