School Bus Driver Beaten into Coma After Minor Accident

The family of 65-year-old Juan DelValle, who was preparing to retire, is agonizing over whether to take the beloved brother and father off life support

The family of a Bronx school bus driver who was beaten into a coma by another motorist last week is agonizing over a decision of whether to remove the beloved brother, father and grandfather from life support.

Juan DelValle, 65, was knocked to the pavement following a minor traffic accident in the Bronx last week, according to authorities. DelValle was attempting to navigate a school bus through a narrow and crowded Anthony Avenue and clipped a mirror on a double-parked car, authorities said.

When DelValle exited the bus to survey the damage, the driver of the car allegedly began yelling at him. Surveillance video captured the car driver then punching DelValle so forcefully he was sent flying backward before his head slammed on the road.

DelValle never regained consciousness. He is being fed intravenously and cannot breathe on his own.

"We are praying for a miracle," said DelValle's sister, Carmen Diaz, who flew from her home in Florida to be by her only brother's side at St. Barnabas Hospital. 

But the reality is grim.

“They tell us he doesn’t have a chance,” said daughter Mariella DelValle.

Juan DelValle had been driving a school bus for 10 years and was preparing to retire at the end of this school year, according to his sister. He'd already submitted his papers. 

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