February 2024: SBF Accident Report Roundup

A number of headline-making school bus crashes have occurred across the country in the last several weeks. School Bus Fleet has a roundup of some of the latest crashes, including: 

• North Carolina school bus driver charged in deadly crash.
• Nevada school bus driver suspected of DUI after crash.
• Four students injured in Maryland school bus rollover.
• Fourteen students injured after utility truck, school bus collide in New Jersey.
• Illinois school bus driver collides with pickup truck, crashes into restaurant.
• School bus crashes, slams into Wisconsin building, trapping tenants inside.
• School bus driver, students injured after bus hits tree in Indiana.
• Virginia school bus crashes into home after colliding with another bus.

North Carolina School Bus Driver Charged in Deadly Crash

A school bus driver who was involved in a deadly crash while driving a bus assigned to the Public Schools of Robeson County (N.C.) on Jan. 26 is facing charges.

Lumberton Police said 27-year-old Jacobi Jacobs was driving a school bus with one employee and no students onboard when he pulled out in front of a van at an intersection. The driver of the other vehicle was killed.

According to The Robesonian, Jacobs was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and failing to yield right of way. He received an unsecured bond.

Nevada School Bus Driver Suspected of DUI After Crash

A Clark County (Nev.) School District bus driver was arrested and charged with suspicion of driving under the influence after authorities said he was involved in a crash while driving his school bus on Jan. 31.

School district police arrested 48-year-old Liston Torres Nazaire after the crash, charging him with suspicion of DUI, reckless driving, and other related charges, according to KSNV.

No students were on board at the time of the crash.

Nazaire is a special education bus driver and has been employed by the school district since March 2007. He was placed on unpaid leave.

Four Students Injured in Maryland School Bus Rollover

Four students were injured after the school bus they were riding rolled over in Columbia (Md.) during the afternoon route on Feb. 8.

Howard County police told WBAL that 19 Hammond Middle School students were on the bus at the time of the crash.

Authorities said the 30-year-old bus driver was not injured and showed no signs of impairment. The bus is operated by Zum. The company released a statement to WBAL emphasizing that getting students to and from school safely is its number one priority.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Police said the driver could face a traffic citation.

14 Students Injured After Utility Truck, School Bus Collide in New Jersey

Students aboard a school bus in Medford, N.J., suffered minor injuries after a school bus and utility truck crashed at an intersection on Feb. 13 during the afternoon route. 

According to NBC Philadelphia, police said the two vehicles collided in the intersection. A total of 14 students on board the bus were hurt in the crash. Fox 29 Philadelphia reported that the bus had just left the Burlington County Institute of Technology when the crash happened.

Three of the students were released to their parents and then taken to local hospitals where they were treated. Ten of the students were taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Another student was hospitalized and treated for injuries to the head and rib.

The investigation is ongoing.

Illinois School Bus Driver Collides with Pickup Truck, Crashes Into Restaurant

Six people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries after a crash involving a school bus and a pickup truck in Peoria (Ill.) on Feb. 5.

According to 25 News Now, the Peoria Fire Department reported that the Dunlap School District bus and pickup truck collided. The school bus came to a stop after hitting an Arby's restaurant. A third vehicle was also involved.

People were in the restaurant at the time, but no one was hurt.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

School Bus Crashes, Slams into Wisconsin Building, Trapping Tenants Inside

A pickup truck crashed into a school bus after allegedly running a red light at a Milwaukee, Wisc., intersection on Feb. 9. The crash caused the bus to hit another vehicle before hitting the side of Iglesia Genesis, a church with an upstairs apartment.

WISN reported that no children were on the bus at the time of the crash, and no one was injured. However, the pastor of the church told WISN that the upstairs tenants were trapped inside since the bus crashed into the only entrance to the apartment.

Firefighters used a truck ladder to guide an elderly woman and her son down to safety.

Police cited the driver accused of running the red light.

The bus appeared to be operated for Lamers Bus Lines.

School Bus Driver, Students Injured After Bus Hits Tree in Indiana

An Indiana bus driver and three students were injured after a school bus crash on Feb. 13 in Clark County.

Indiana State Police officials told WHAS that a Greater Clark County Schools bus drove off the side of the road and struck a tree during the morning route. The driver was found unconscious and taken by ambulance along with one student to the hospital. Two other students were driven to the hospital by private means.

Authorities believe the students' and driver's injuries are minor.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. Officials said there are no indications the driver was impaired.

Jeffersonville Police said the school district is cooperating with law enforcement.

Virginia School Bus Crashes Into Home After Colliding With Another Bus

A school bus was sent careening into a home after it hit another school bus in Newport News, Va., on Feb. 15.

13News Now reported that just after 8:30 A.M., two school buses crashed at an intersection. WAVY reported that one bus was carrying 11 students to Deer Park Elementary. The other bus had no students onboard. Authorities said there were no major injuries reported.

One driver was issued a citation for running a red light.

The crash is under investigation.