STATESVILLE, N.C. — A new court date has been set for the man accused of nearly hitting two students as they got on the school bus.
The terrifying incident, which happened on Old Mountain Road, was caught on camera and released by Iredell-Statesville Schools earlier this month.
The driver, identified as 35-year-old Joseph Graham Padgett Jr. of Statesville, was arrested, according to officials. He had warrants out for his arrest for passing a stopped school bus, driving while his license was revoked, careless and reckless driving, and improper passing.
In court Thursday, Padgett received several charges including reckless driving, failure to stop for a stopped bus and unsafe passing. He's now scheduled to go before a judge next month.
Padgett also has an extradition hearing later this month as a fugitive from another state.
Padgett was being held at the Iredell County Detention Center under a $20,000 bond, according to the highway patrol. As of 1 a.m. Sunday, Padget bailed out and is now out of custody.
The two girls in the video are physically OK and safely made it to school. Their mother told WCNC Charlotte they're shaken up and the family hopes the driver will face consequences.
"Literally within eye's view and inches could've changed her life, could've changed our whole life," she said. "Could've hurt her ... could've killed her."
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