Family Demands Answers After Vancouver Bus Crash Kills Four-Year-Old Boy
More than eight months have passed since a devastating bus accident near the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal claimed the life of four-year-old Leonardo and left his mother with severe injuries. The grieving family continues to search for answers and accountability, expressing frustration with the lack of information provided by investigating agencies.
A Father's Heartbreaking Plea
"This is not about money. We would trade all the money in the world to bring back our child," said father Clineu Machado in an emotional statement to media. "It's about making sure our son's life was not taken in vain, and that changes needed to prevent this tragedy from happening again take place."
Machado described his son as an excited child who had just met his future kindergarten classmates at Marpole's Sir William Osler Elementary School, located just two blocks from their home. Leonardo had been beaming with joy while clutching his new backpack during a playground visit last spring.
The Tragic Afternoon
On May 28, 2025, after returning from a day trip to Bowen Island, Leonardo and his mother Silvana de Oliveira Schramm were attempting to board a Route 257 TransLink bus. According to de Oliveira Schramm's recollection, the bus driver motioned for them to board as she began pushing the stroller toward the vehicle.
Tragically, as she lifted the stroller's front wheels with a friend steadying it from behind, the articulated bus suddenly accelerated. Leonardo, who had been asleep in his stroller, died instantly at the scene. His mother was trapped beneath the bus and suffered severe injuries that continue to require hospitalization and rehabilitation.
Haunting Memories and Ongoing Trauma
De Oliveira Schramm described being haunted daily by fragmented memories of the incident. "All I remember is people screaming," she recalled. "I couldn't see anything. I was under the bus. I thought, 'What is happening to me?' I could never have imagined this."
Machado shared that his wife experiences traumatic moments, waking in the middle of the night with racing thoughts questioning her decisions that day. "My wife has these moments, waking in the middle of the night, her brain racing with thoughts: 'Why did I go out that day? Why didn't I wait for the next bus?'" he explained.
Investigation Delays and Information Withholding
To date, no investigating agency has provided the family with answers about what contributed to the fatal incident. The West Vancouver Police, who seized the bus for mechanical inspection immediately following the crash, continue to withhold details of their investigation.
The family's legal representatives, Tiago Rodrigues and David A. Joyce of Joyce Law, confirmed that the case remains in the fact-finding stage. They have submitted formal requests for investigation reports to both TransLink and the West Vancouver Police Department but have received limited information in response.
Scene Details and Community Impact
Images from the accident scene showed a stroller on its side beneath the rear of the bus, with two small sneakers visible on the pavement. The impact was so forceful that it knocked over a stop sign and scattered debris across the sidewalk, leaving a haunting visual reminder of the tragedy.
The family's quest for answers extends beyond personal closure, aiming to ensure that necessary safety improvements are implemented to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Their call for accountability highlights broader concerns about public transportation safety and transparency in accident investigations.
