The widow of a retired nurse struck and killed by a school bus in March 2026 has filed a lawsuit against the Poway Unified School District. Rene Steiner, 69, was walking his dogs in the Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhood of San Diego when a district bus turned left and collided with him.
The incident occurred on March 10, 2026. A San Diego Police officer provided immediate medical assistance at the scene before paramedics arrived. Steiner was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where he succumbed to his injuries on March 28, 2026, after being treated for a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, multiple rib fractures, and bilateral pulmonary contusion.
Court documents obtained by The Times of San Diego indicate that a neighbor's security camera captured the moments leading up to the collision. The lawsuit alleges that the bus driver, 76-year-old Richard Kraft, was speeding on Via Cima Bella before turning onto Paseo Montalban, failing to make a complete stop at the intersection and failing to yield to a pedestrian.
Attorneys for Steiner's widow, Cindy, stated that the lawsuit aims not only for justice for Rene Steiner but also to address what they describe as Poway Unified policies that may encourage bus drivers to use shortcuts through residential streets. The lawsuit claims the district has a history of bus-related traffic incidents, citing 118 documented events in the Rancho Peñasquitos and Sabre Springs areas since 2019. These incidents reportedly include occurrences outside of standard school transportation hours, such as midday, evening, and pre-dawn periods.
The bus driver faces a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge and a citation for failing to yield to a pedestrian. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 27, 2026. Cindy Steiner expressed her hope that bringing the incident to light will lead to accountability and prevent similar tragedies.