Driver dies after Virginia school bus crash, seven injured

CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE, Va. — Seven Charlotte County Public Schools students were injured after their bus ran off the road and hit a tree yesterday morning.

WDBJ News-7 reported that the students were all boys between the ages of 12 and 15, and were transported to area hospitals following the incident. Their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

In a statement, Charlotte County Superintendent of Schools Melody Hackney said a total of 32 middle school students were on board the bus, and police reports indicate that the driver, Phyllis Pollard, may have experienced a medical emergency immediately prior to the accident. She later died upon arrival at a local hospital.

“Please join me in keeping the family of Mrs. Pollard, as well as all students involved in this tragic incident in your thoughts and prayers,” Hackney said. Police Sergeant Dave Cooper said Pollard had been a bus driver for the Charlotte County district for about eight years. Her husband, a county sheriff’s deputy, was in a vehicle behind the bus and saw it go off the road.

A full investigation of the accident is being conducted.