Suspect who tried to hijack Kennewick school bus is jailed. Only driver was onboard

A 23-year-old man allegedly tried to steal a Kennewick school bus making its first stop to pick up a student Thursday morning.

Cuevas Corona is accused of getting on the Kennewick school bus after it stopped on the 400 block of North Volland Street about 8:10 a.m., Kennewick police said in a Facebook post.

The driver told investigators that Cuevas Corona sat down behind the driver who worried what the man was going to do.

“This rightfully so frightened the bus driver, who did a great job and immediately exited the school bus,” police said.

Cuevas Corona then got into the driver’s seat and took hold of the steering wheel but never put it into gear. He also waved for the driver, a parent and the student to get on the bus, said officials.

Instead, they started to walk away but he got off the bus and began to follow them. The parent asked a driver in a car behind the bus to call 911.

“They were scared as they were not sure what Cuevas Corona was going to do,” Kennewick police said. “Cuevas Corona followed for several minutes while the bus driver, parent and student did a great job and continued to walk away.”

Cuevas Corona eventually gave up following and walked in a different direction.

Police arrived and arrest him. It’s believed that Cuevas Corona has some mental health issues, said Kennewick Commander Isaac Merkl.

Cuevas Corona was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of attempted vehicle theft. Merkl said he hopes he’s able to get treatment while in the court system.