School van driver accused of harassing 15-year-old student
A school van driver faces criminal charges in Fayette County after allegedly inappropriately touching and harassing a female student during a drive to class.
Police said video footage showed Daryl Nichols, 73, of Brownsville, touching a 15-year-old girl’s leg and thigh and making inappropriate comments to her on the way to school.
A recording system on the bus showed Nichols touched the teen’s leg and thigh for more than one minute, the complaint said.
Charging documents stated Nichols also told the girl about a dream he had of the two of them getting lost in the woods. After giving her a dessert, he asked for a hug in return, then pulled over, police said.
After getting a hug, he then asked the girl for a kiss, which she declined, the complaint said.
In response, police said, Nichols asked “No? Why not?” and motioned for an air kiss.
In an interview with police Monday, the girl said there were no people she allowed to place their hand on her thigh. She also said she did not want to hug Nichols, and only gave him an awkward side hug because she was “just trying to get out of there and get to school,” the complaint said.
Nichols had been driving the student for Mlaker Transportation for about a month, according to court paperwork. Mlaker did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Nichols is charged with sexual contact with a student, indecent assault of a person under 16, corruption of minors and careless driving.
He is lodged at the Fayette County jail after being unable to post bail of $75,000.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27.