ROYALTON, Wis. (WBAY) – A pickup truck driver involved in a crash with a school bus in Waupaca County’s town of Royalton last week has been issued four traffic citations. The incident, which occurred last Tuesday around 4 p.m., has left the father of three girls who were on the bus disappointed that no criminal charges were filed.
The school bus was stopped to let children off when the pickup truck, which was hauling a trailer, struck the rear of the bus, pushing it forward. According to the sheriff’s office, two students had just gotten off the bus, one was in the process of exiting, and one child remained on board at the time of the collision. Fortunately, there were no reports of serious injuries.
Records accessed by Action 2 News indicate that Jordan Gilbo, 30, of Waupaca, received citations for:
- Reckless driving endangering safety
- Failure to stop for a school bus
- Operating while suspended
- Non-registration of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or other vehicle.
Gilbo is not obligated to appear in court for these citations, provided he settles the fines by March 26. The total fines amount to $1,676.80.
The reckless driving charge carries the most significant penalty, with a fine of $974.50. It also resulted in 6 points being added to his driver’s license. Failing to stop for a school bus added 4 points, and operating while suspended added another 3 points to his license.
Given that Gilbo was already driving on a suspended license, an extension of the suspension is likely. A post by Shane Kruescher on the WBAY Facebook page expressed concerns regarding the lack of further investigation. The post stated, “I was just always under the impression that cell phone records would be pulled, and or breathalyzer tests or drug tests would be given, but apparently somebody has to die for that and we wonder why nobody has faith in our justice system.”
Online court records do not show any criminal charges filed against Gilbo. However, his driving history reveals a pattern of vehicle-related violations over the past four years. This includes a prior incident of operating while suspended in 2021, displaying an unauthorized vehicle registration plate, multiple citations for operating a motor vehicle without proof of insurance, operating an ATV without valid registration, and multiple speeding citations.
