Longtime School Bus Driver Killed On 1st Day Of School Year

TAMPA, FL — Friends and co-workers are mourning the death of a longtime Hillsborough County bus driver who was killed in a crash on her way to work the first day of school.

Cynthia Gibson, a bus driver for more than 30 years, was killed Monday in an accident on Airport Road in Plant City when she struck the back of a tractor-trailer truck. She was taken to a Lakeland hospital where she died.

"Over the years, FHP troopers have helped provide driving instruction to Hillsborough school bus drivers and, as such, we are also saddened by her loss," said Sgt. Steve Gaskins.

Known to generations of students as Ms. Cherrie, Gibson was planning to retire at the end of this school year. When she wasn't driving a bus, she was active in her church where she sang in the choir and was a devoted grandmother.

Gibson also served as a mentor and an advocate for her fellow Hillsborough County school bus drivers.

The school district is making grief counselors available for Gibson's fellow bus drivers.

Jim Beekman, the general manager of the school district’s transportation department, said he lost a valued friend as well as a dedicated colleague.

He issued the following statement:

There are days in our lives that we will always remember. Some for the joy we experienced and others for the sadness. Today is one that I and our transportation family of Hillsborough County Public Schools will remember for the sadness that it brought, the shocking realization of losing such a vibrant member of our family.

Cynthia Gibson, known to many as Ms. Cherrie, was tragically taken from us in an automobile accident on her way to work this morning. It was the first day of school and to her family she had shared it would be her last first day. She wanted to retire at the end of the year.

Ms. Cherrie began her career over 30 years ago with Hillsborough County Transportation and has touched thousands of lives in this community through her driving, her service to her church and most important to her beautiful family.

She was a strong advocate for drivers and attendants, understanding the importance they play every day in the lives of the children and parents in this community. When drivers needed a mentor, they would turn to her for guidance. When schools had some challenging students, she would step forward and work with those at-risk kids and made a difference.

Her most rewarding role, however, was grandmother to her beautiful grandkids.

Today marked my 36th school opening and to this day, I have never met a driver so unique and so full of passion for those around her. I truly lost a great friend today. Today, as in the days to come, our transportation family will do all we can to help her family through this time of sorrow. Countless folks have come forward today making their own pledge to be a better person, to know not to take any moment in life for granted and to express thanks for the impact that Ms. Cherrie made in their life. She was a believer. She had the faith and her friends and family know she heard those beautiful words today. Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Words will never capture how much she will be missed by those who knew her.
Jim Beekman