‘Outpouring of love.’ Dozens of school buses parade to honor slain Pasco driver
More than 100 people lined 10th Avenue on Saturday morning in front of a Pasco elementary school to remember Dick Lenhart.
Some carried signs remembering the school bus driver who was killed Sept. 24 in front of his load of 35 children by an apparent stranger.
Jessica and Jeselle Sandoval wore yellow T-shirts emblazoned with the number “4,” the number of Lenhart’s route.
The parade in front of Longfellow Elementary School brought school buses from across the region and as far away as Snoqualmie and Freeman school districts.
More than 50 drove side by side Saturday, many carrying messages remembering Lenhart.
Lenhart’s family, including his wife Nancy, had a place of honor on one bus, getting off in front of the school, where she was greeted with hugs.
She told the Tri-City Herald that the “outpouring of love” has touched her family deeply.
“We only ask at this time for people to pray for the children and their families and the bus drivers everywhere across the United States,” she told the Herald.
The 72-year-old driver was stabbed after opening the door for a man who approached the bus.
Joshiua Dian Davis, 34, is charged with attacking him when Lenhart said he couldn’t give him a ride across town, according to police.
It’s not yet known why Davis asked about a ride when he had his own vehicle parked nearby.
After the attack, teachers and other school employees showed their support for Pasco’s nearly 100 school bus drivers by waving homemade signs with hearts and words of encouragement.
School districts across the region and state also have been remembering Lenhart with a “4” posted on the sides of their buses.
This story was originally published October 9, 2021 at 12:39 PM.