A mother is seeking justice after her six-year-old daughter was killed on a school bus.
“My daughter’s death could and should have been prevented,” said Najma Nash, Fazil Atiyah Williams’ mother.
“This is a case of complete negligence and disregard for policies and procedures,” she added.
Fazil died when he fell in his wheelchair on a bumpy road while riding the bus to school in Franklin Township, New Jersey, and the harness securing him to the wheelchair tightened around his neck, blocking his airway.
Fazil Atiyah Williams, a wheelchair user, died when the bus harness blocked his airway while he was on his way to school in New Jersey. Photo by Najma Nash
Fazil had a rare chromosomal disorder called Emanuel syndrome, which is characterized as a developmental and learning disability that impairs growth and development, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
“She was a very energetic child, very happy. She had big brown eyes. You just looked at her and you were drawn in,” Nash said. “She couldn’t speak, but I think she spoke through her eyes.”
She said she works with other parents of students with disabilities, including Lauren Summerson, who is on the school’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, and works with the school board to ensure students with disabilities are protected in school.
“I, Najma Nash, want the world to know that I will never back down. I will never stop fighting for change,” Nash said. “And I assure you with all my heart and soul that change will come. And it will come now, and it will come fast, because I don’t want any other family to go through what I’m feeling right now.”
Fazil Atiyah Williams, a wheelchair user, died when the bus harness blocked his airway while he was on his way to school in New Jersey. Photo by Najma Nash
Bus monitor Amanda Davila has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child in the fatal crash. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office alleges that Davila was on her cell phone and wearing headphones during the critical period when Fazil was slumped in his chair.
Prosecutors say this violates policies and procedures. ABC News has reached out to her lawyer for comment.
“We are entrusting these people with the care of our children,” Nash said, “and they need to be able to recognize if and when a child in their care is in distress.”
“We can’t just stand by and do nothing for our children, especially when it comes to safety,” said Summerson, a mother of two children with disabilities.
Parents say transportation, communication and education are dominating the conversations.
Complaints about children being dropped off at the wrong locations, the need for data-driven individualized education plans for students with disabilities and communication with parents are just some of the topics that will be discussed between school officials and parents, Summerson said.
“For people like us, especially kids who are non-verbal, it can be very disheartening when we don’t have any information and we don’t know exactly what they’re going through or what’s happened,” Summerson said.
She said it would create an opportunity for parents, students and educators to collaborate and discuss how to best accommodate students with disabilities, making schools better places for both disabled and able-bodied students.
Fazil Atiyah Williams, a wheelchair user, died when the bus harness blocked his airway while he was on his way to school in New Jersey. Photo by Najma Nash
“Inclusion has always been key to making sure all voices are heard,” Summerson says. “It’s important for people who have abilities to share them with others, and if there’s something they can’t do or don’t do well, others can help and support them as needed.”
School Superintendent Dr. John LaBarrie said the district has policies, training, drills and modifications in place to protect staff and students from tragedies like this, and in response to Fazil’s death, the district has “reminded bus providers of expectations and taken additional steps to ensure compliance.”
Lavallee and other administrators plan to meet with parents to discuss and resolve concerns.
Nash hopes Fazil will be remembered for his “happy screams” and “maniacal laughter.”
“She started high-fiving and waving to her classmates at school,” Nash said. “It’s been really beautiful to see how much she’s grown over the years.”