School bus driver dies after bus crashes into tree
Edwin Rivera Dejesus, a driver for Monroe School Transportation in Rochester, New York, may have had a massive heart attack when the minibus he was driving sideswiped another school bus, police say. Eight students and one bus monitor were injured.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — School bus driver Edwin Rivera Dejesus died when his vehicle crashed into a tree here Tuesday morning, Democrat & Chronicle reports. Eight students and one bus monitor were injured in the accident.
David Bonacchi, general manager of Monroe School Transportation, told the newspaper police indicated to him that Dejesus may have had a massive heart attack. Bonacchi added that his company did not know of Dejesus having any health issues. Dejesus had been with the company for four years, according to Democrat & Chronicle.
Police told the newspaper Dejesus was driving southbound when his minibus sideswiped a full-size First Student bus traveling north. Dejesus' bus then struck a tree and he was pinned in the vehicle. The First Student bus had three students on board, Laurie Buckley, spokesperson for Rochester City School District, told Democrat & Chronicle. There were no apparent injuries on the First Student bus, and the students were taken to school, she added.
The crash is still under investigation, according to the newspaper.
To read the full story, go here.
More Safety

From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible
Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.
Read More →
HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses
Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council
More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.
Read More →
What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation
The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.
Read More →
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →
2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash
A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.
Read More →
Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts
With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.
Read More →
School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction
What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.
Read More →

