What Really Happened to Ally Rednour? The School Bus Story That Shook Everyone

In 2015, a young girl named Ally Rednour faced something no child should ever go through. She was just six years old when a terrible school bus accident changed her life forever. It wasn’t just a small mistake — it was a scary, painful, and heartbreaking event that caught the attention of people across the country.

This is not just a story about an accident. It’s a story about survival, strength, and the power of one family’s voice. In this article, we’ll explore everything that happened to Ally Rednour — from the day of the accident, to the legal battle, to how her story helped change school bus safety for kids everywhere. We’ll also learn how she’s doing today, years later.

Let’s begin by learning who Ally Rednour is.

Ally Rednour Quick Bio

Who Is Ally Rednour?

Ally Rednour was a sweet and happy young girl living in Clark County, Kentucky. She was a first grader at Wilkerson Elementary School when the accident happened. She loved going to school and spending time with her friends, just like any six-year-old.

She lived with her mother, Amy Ehman, who has always been by her side — before, during, and after the incident. Amy later became a strong voice for school bus safety across Kentucky.

Before the accident, Ally was like any normal little girl. But on one shocking day in May 2015, everything changed.

What Happened to Ally Rednour in 2015?

On May 15, 2015, Ally was stepping off her school bus like she did every day. But this time, something went horribly wrong. As she got off the bus, her backpack got stuck in the bus door. The bus driver didn’t see what had happened — and drove off.

Ally was dragged for more than 1,000 feet down the road. That’s more than three football fields long. Her little body was pulled across the pavement as the bus kept moving.

Can you imagine how scary that must have been for a six-year-old? She couldn’t get free. She couldn’t scream loud enough. And the driver didn’t stop — until a stranger saw what was happening and took action.

How Far Was Ally Rednour Dragged by the Bus?

Ally was dragged for over 1,000 feet, which is a little more than a quarter of a mile. That’s a long, painful distance for anyone — but especially for a small child.

A witness named Matthew Lundergan saw the accident happening. He quickly got into his vehicle, sped ahead of the bus, and drove in front of it to make it stop. If he hadn’t done that, who knows how much worse the accident could have been?

Thanks to Matthew’s quick thinking, the bus finally stopped, and help was called. But by then, Ally had already been badly hurt.

Ally Rednour’s Injuries and Recovery Journey

Ally’s injuries were very serious. She had abrasions on 12% of her body, which means her skin was scraped off in several places. She also had permanent nerve damage that still affects her today.

She was taken to Kosair Children’s Hospital, where she stayed for about 48 hours. Doctors helped clean her wounds and gave her the care she needed. But the healing didn’t stop there.

Over the years, Ally has had to go through many surgeries, physical therapy, and counseling. She also suffers from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). That means the accident still causes her fear and emotional pain, even now.

In 2021, when she was a little older, Ally spoke about what happened in an interview. She said something very powerful:

“All these struggles I had to go through, every day, pain. It’s all from 53 seconds.”

That short moment changed her life forever.

What Did the Bus Driver Do Wrong?

The bus driver’s name was Melinda Sanders. After the incident, people asked an important question — how could something like this even happen?

It turned out that Melinda didn’t follow basic safety rules. She closed the bus doors too soon without checking if Ally was clear. Even worse, she didn’t watch Ally walk safely away from the bus before driving off.

Other bus drivers from the Jefferson County Public Schools spoke in court and said Melinda often ignored the safety steps they were all trained to follow. One trainer even said:

“You watch them get off the bus, you close the door. When they’re away from the bus, you look in that mirror and you watch them. They have to be 10 feet away before you pull off.”

Melinda didn’t do that — and because of her mistake, Ally was seriously hurt.

What Happened to Melinda Sanders After the Incident?

Melinda Sanders was suspended without pay right after the accident. Later, she was fired from her job by the school district.

She also lost her commercial driver’s license, which means she could no longer work as a bus driver again.

Even though she didn’t go to jail, the court found her guilty of breaking important safety rules. In court, she did show regret and said she wished she had done things differently. But for Ally and her family, the damage was already done.

How Much Was Ally Rednour’s Settlement?

After years of pain, therapy, and legal battles, Ally Rednour’s family finally received a settlement in 2021. The amount was $4.8 million. This money came from Travellers Indemnity Company, the insurance group that represented Jefferson County Public Schools.

The settlement helped cover medical costs, therapy, and long-term care for Ally. Her lawyer, Bo Bolus, said something very touching about Ally and her mom.

“The mother is a wonderful person, and Ally is a daffodil.”

Even though no amount of money can undo what happened, the settlement was a way to support Ally’s future and give her family some peace.

How Ally Rednour’s Case Changed School Bus Safety

The accident didn’t just affect one family — it shook the whole state. People started asking: How could this happen? And more importantly, how can we make sure it never happens again?

Thanks to Ally’s story and her mother’s hard work, Kentucky made big changes to school bus safety rules. Some of the new rules include:

• Extra sensors on school bus doors

• Cameras to monitor student exits

• Better training for bus drivers on safety steps

These changes help protect other children across the state. What happened to Ally was tragic, but it helped spark change that could save lives in the future.

Where Is Ally Rednour Now?

It’s now 2025, and Ally Rednour is 16 or 17 years old. She lives a very private life with her family. After all the public attention, her family chose to keep things quiet and let her heal in peace.

Even though she stays out of the spotlight, some small details are known. Ally is said to enjoy swimming and cheerleading, which shows how strong she’s become. Despite her injuries and trauma, she is trying to live a normal teenage life.

Her exact location isn’t shared online — and that’s a good thing. After everything she’s been through, she deserves privacy, peace, and time to grow up without cameras or questions.

What Did Ally Say About the Pain She Lived Through?

In 2021, Ally spoke in a TV interview and shared her feelings. Her words were short, but full of emotion:

“All these struggles I had to go through, every day, pain. It’s all from 53 seconds.”

That one moment — just 53 seconds — changed her life forever.

Many people who watched that interview were moved to tears. Her strength, honesty, and calm voice showed just how brave she is. Even after all the surgeries, pain, and fear, she keeps moving forward.

Her words reminded everyone why safety matters, and why no one should take shortcuts when it comes to children’s lives.

Amy Ehman, A Mother’s Voice for Safety

After the accident, Ally’s mom, Amy Ehman, didn’t stay silent. Instead, she used her voice to speak up — not just for Ally, but for all children who ride school buses.

Amy talked to schools, safety groups, and even news channels. She pushed for stronger driver rules, better equipment, and regular safety training. She turned her pain into purpose.

She once said:

“Our lives will never be the same.”

But even with the sadness, she made sure Ally’s story helped others. She became a true example of how a mother’s love can lead to real change.

Final Thoughts

Ally Rednour’s story is one of heartbreak, but also one of bravery. What happened to her was painful and unfair. But through her strength — and her mother’s voice — real change happened.

Today, because of Ally’s case, school buses in Kentucky are safer. Children are better protected. And parents know more about the rules that keep kids safe.

Even though Ally stays out of the public eye, her story still speaks loudly. It reminds us all to never take safety for granted — and to always fight for what’s right.

She may have been dragged for over 1,000 feet… But Ally Rednour rose stronger than ever.