So Many Scouts wanted to drive in the van because they are all friends, and the van has a CD player, but the driver of the van also, has a few scouts that they choose not to transport!! So, YES, the ASM son was the cause for another scout being singled out.
As for Youth Protection, Two Deep Leadership: A vehicle must have either two scouts and a leader, or two leaders and a scout. The only time there can be a single scout in a car is if the driver is their parent.