Multi-State School Bus Crashes
School Bus Crashes Across Three States Leave Nine People Hospitalized
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Utah Highway Patrol said the Wasatch County bus was crossing U.S. 40 near milepost 14 shortly before 4 p.m.; two students, an aide and the driver were reportedly the only people aboard, according to the school district.
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The Wasatch County School District said, “The safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority,” while thanking transportation staff and emergency responders for their handling of the crash.
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In Elyria, police said the Honda Civic struck the bus’s front passenger side, and both vehicles stopped near the intersection’s northeast corner. The bus driver was identified as a 35-year-old woman, while the Honda driver was identified as a 51-year-old person.
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The O’Fallon crash occurred at about 7:48 a.m. as the Illinois Central bus traveled north to pick up children; police said the SUV driver became distracted before crossing into the opposing lane.
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O’Fallon police said traffic was disrupted for roughly an hour, and the SUV occupants taken to the hospital were identified as a father, mother and infant.
Nine people were hospitalized across three school bus crashes in Utah, Ohio, and Illinois within three days, though all injuries were reported as minor or non-life-threatening. Utah Highway Patrol said a Wasatch County bus failed to see a commercial truck while crossing U.S. Route 40 near Heber City on Monday afternoon. In Elyria, Ohio, also Monday, a school bus collided with a Honda Civic at an intersection, while an SUV struck an empty Illinois Central bus near O'Fallon on Friday morning.
The crashes sent four people to hospitals in Utah, four in Ohio, and four in Illinois. Most patients suffered minor injuries and were released quickly. Wasatch County School District stated that student safety remains the top priority and praised emergency responders for their swift action at the Utah scene.
Utah Bus Fails to See Oncoming Truck
Near Heber City, a Wasatch County school bus attempted to cross U.S. Route 40 around 4 p.m. Monday without noticing an oncoming commercial semi-truck at milepost 14. Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Zach Randall confirmed the bus driver failed to see traffic before crossing. The collision damaged the bus's side and sent one bus aide to the hospital in good or fair condition. Four students aboard were evaluated and released to their parents unharmed.
Traffic in both directions was reduced to a single lane for several hours as crews cleared the scene. The school district said the bus aide and transportation staff showed professionalism during the emergency. Wasatch County School District thanked first responders for their quick action in managing the crash and helping the injured.
Ohio Intersection Collision Sends Bus Driver and Others to Hospital
In Elyria, Ohio, a Honda Civic struck a school bus at the State Route 57 and Cleveland Street intersection Monday morning around 6:56 a.m. Elyria Police Department Captain Bill Lantz said the 35-year-old female bus driver ran a red traffic light while driving eastbound. The Civic, driven by a 51-year-old, hit the bus's front passenger side. Seven students were aboard the bus, though reports conflicted on exactly how many required hospital care.
Four people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries: the bus driver, a bus aide, one student, and the Civic driver. Elyria Fire and LifeCare Ambulance transported patients to local hospitals. The intersection reopened by 8:25 a.m. Elyria City Schools dispatched a replacement bus to get students to school.
Illinois SUV Drifts Into Path of School Bus
In O'Fallon, Illinois, an SUV crossed into the opposing lane and struck an empty school bus near Hartman Lane and Kingsley Drive around 7:48 a.m. Friday. O'Fallon Police Department said the SUV driver became distracted before veering into oncoming traffic. The head-on crash sent four people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries: the bus driver, the SUV driver, one SUV passenger, and an infant.
The SUV occupants included a father, mother, and infant. O'Fallon Police cited the SUV driver for distracted driving. Traffic was blocked for roughly an hour while crews worked the scene. The school bus was not assigned to an O'Fallon District 90 route at the time of the crash, officials said.
School Bus Design Helps Prevent Serious Injuries
All three crashes involved other vehicles striking school buses, yet none of the children or bus drivers suffered critical injuries. Safety experts note that yellow school buses are built with reinforced steel frames and compartmentalized seating that absorbs impact energy. The heavy-vehicle construction protected occupants even in head-on and side collisions with faster-moving cars and trucks.
Community observers and district officials highlighted how the bus design prevented worse outcomes. National Safety Council data shows school buses account for less than 0.3% of fatal U.S. traffic crashes, and occupants of other vehicles involved in bus accidents make up about 71% of fatalities in bus-related incidents. The three crashes demonstrate how structural design saves lives despite the force of collisions.
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