No mechanical issues in fatal bus crash

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The State Highway Patrol found no mechanical issues in the school bus that was in a fatal crash last week.

But the school bus driver told investigators that a car crossed the center line, forcing her off the road.

The Tri-Valley Local Schools bus went off the right side of the roadway and rolled over after striking a utility pole. The driver, Carol Oler, was transporting seven students to Nashport (Ohio) Elementary School.

Six-year-old Kasey King was killed and six other children and Oler were injured in the Wednesday crash.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle said that it was the first fatality in an Ohio school bus in more than 40 years.

“I wish to express my condolences to the family of the child killed in this tragic accident,” Delisle said in a statement. “It is an unimaginable loss. My thoughts are with all of the students and families impacted by this accident as well as the entire Tri-Valley community.”

The State Highway Patrol said on Friday that the onboard video from the bus was continuing to be analyzed by its forensic computer unit.

After the crash, a state bill to require three-point seat belts on school buses was passed unanimously by a House committee, but it was not adopted by the full House before members adjourned for summer recess. The bill could be taken up again in the fall.