No charges announced against bus driver despite Chestnut’s allegations

More than two weeks have passed since State Attorney Lawson Lamar told reporters that he would charge eleven individuals for the homicide of FAMU drum major Robert Champion. Champion died after being hazed aboard a Fabulous Bus Lines vehicle in Orlando on Nov. 19.

A lawsuit filed by Christopher Chestnut, an attorney for Champion’s parents, claims that driver Wendy Millette stood guard outside the bus on which Champion was being hazed on Nov. 19. It also says she “forced” him back onto vehicle when he came out the bus door to vomit.

Lamar has not announced any plans to arrest Millette for false imprisonment or any other crime related to Champion’s death.   

Back in December, Fabulous Coach Lines owner Ray Land told the Associated Press that the bus driver was outside assisting the band members who were unloading instruments when Champion collapsed on the vehicle. He says she and the rest of the drivers did everything they could to help after they learned that the drum major was hurt.

Keon Hollis, who served as a drum major with Champion, told ESPN that he and Champion both voluntarily submitted to the “Crossing Bus C” ritual following the Marching 100’s performance in the Florida Classic. He said that only students were around when he and Champion went through the Bus C ritual.

“Any idea where the driver was?” ESPN reporter T.J. Quinn asked him.

“No,” Hollis said.

Jade Gummer, a partner in the Orlando office of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., is defending Millette. He has filed a motion to dismiss Chestnut’s lawsuit.