Monticello - Driver Placed On Probation For Passing Bus

Monticello - A Queens man who passed a stopped school bus from Gershowitz Transportation in Liberty On March 14, was sentenced to probation and community service yesterday.

Stephan Cucuteanu, 50, of Sunnyside, pleaded guilty on June 13 to first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony; and passing a stopped school bus, a traffic infraction, for speeding by with his white van on the right shoulder on Route 52, When a bus loaded with Liberty school kids stopped to let off an 11-year-old girl.

The District Attorney had asked the judge to impose six months in jail and five years of felony probation, but the judge noted that Cucuteanu never even had a traffic ticket before this, so he reached a compromise, He sentenced him to probation and 100 hours of community service to include speaking to other drivers about his crime; and $1,250 in fines.