The parents of a local high school student killed when his motorcycle collided with a school bus late last year have sued the school district for failing to release public records, according to their attorney.
Rodney and Cathleen Chaplin filed the suit last week against Horry County Schools seeking release of public records, said David Canty, their attorney. The couple filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the documents and they were never produced, he said.
"We're reluctant to comment on pending litigation, but it's nothing more than a FOIA enforcement action," Canty said Tuesday. "We would like to resolve the matter."
Canty represents the Chaplins, parents of 18-year-old Marc Chaplin, who died Nov. 2 when a school bus driven by 77-year-old Michael Joseph Burns collided with Chaplin's motorcycle.
On Feb. 5, Burns was charged with failing to yield right-of-way in the fatal crash. Earlier this month Burns requested a jury trial in the case.
School officials could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
Burns, who has declined to comment about the incident, has been on administrative leave with pay until the matter is resolved, according to school officials.
Chaplin was a senior at the Academy of Arts, Sciences & Technology.
The crash occurred about 8:10 a.m. Nov. 2 as the bus driven by Burns turned onto the northbound S.C. 31 ramp at Robert Grissom Parkway, according to authorities.
Chaplin, whose base school was Myrtle Beach High, was on his way to the academy on International Drive.
No students were on the bus at the time of the crash, and Burns was returning to North Myrtle Beach High School after dropping students off at the academy, authorities said.
Burns has driven for the school district for four years. He was treated at the scene when the crash occurred.
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