SBF Accident Report Roundup: July 17, 2023

A number of accidents involving school buses have made headlines in the last few weeks. School Bus Fleet has a roundup of some of the top stories including:

• Former Connecticut school bus driver charged in deadly crash.
• Children hospitalized after Chicago school bus rollover.
• Washington school bus carrying YMCA summer day camp kids rolls over.
• Philadelphia girl hit by dirt bike after exiting school bus.
• New Jersey school bus bursts into flames after being evacuated.

Former Connecticut School Bus Driver Charged in Deadly Crash

A former school bus driver was charged in connection to a deadly crash involving a motorcycle that happened in Torrington, Connecticut, in September 2022. WTNH reported that 63-year-old Lisa Krulicki turned herself in on June 26 for charges stemming from an active arrest warrant in connection to the crash.

Police said Krulicki was driving an All-Star Transportation school bus when she made a left turn in front of a motorcycle, allegedly causing the crash. The motorcyclist, identified as 24-year-old Zachary Zecchin, was flown to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

No children were on the school bus at the time of the crash.

 

The arrest followed a months-long investigation into the fatal crash. Authorities said Krulicki cooperated with the investigation. She was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle and failure to yield while making a left turn.

Torrington Police reported that Krulicki was processed and released from jail on a $5,000 bond.

In a statement to WTNH, All-Star Transportation said Krulicki had not driven any vehicles in its fleet since the crash.

Children Hospitalized After Chicago School Bus Rollover

At least five children were taken to the hospital after the school bus they were riding in rolled over on its side and into a grassy embankment off the side of a busy stretch of highway in Chicago on June 13. ABC 7 Chicago reported that the students attend a private Christian school in Hammond, Indiana. Chicago Fire reported that none of the students faced life-threatening injuries. The bus driver refused treatment on the scene.

Illinois State Police told School Bus Fleet that the children were between the ages of 13 and 16.

No other vehicles were involved.

EMS plan 1 school bus overturned on inbound Ryan about 3800 south locals. Five transports all yellow Driver of bus is refusal Nothing life threatening for transports pic.twitter.com/oBqEBnZyYn

— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) June 13, 2023

The crash happened during the afternoon rush hour in rainy conditions. Illinois State Police told School Bus Fleet that the driver, a 23-year-old, was issued citations for improper lane usage and driving too fast for conditions.

Washington School Bus Carrying YMCA Summer Day Camp Kids Rolls Over

A school bus carrying children from a local YMCA summer day camp in Burlington, Washington, rolled over at about 4:00 p.m. on July 5. Washington State Patrol told KIRO that the bus was taking an exit when it rolled over on its side. The students were elementary school-aged. Only minor injuries were reported.

Uninjured children were taken to a local high school to be reunited with their parents.

BREAKING NEWS: MCI-MINOR: School bus Rollover: Chuckanut Exit SR11 Burlington. pic.twitter.com/mNZTUeQ5mM

— Breaking Skagit (@BreakingSkagit) July 5, 2023

Washington State Police are working to determine the cause of the rollover. A spokesperson told School Bus Fleet that as of July 17, authorities were also still working to determine whether the bus driver will face charges.

Philadelphia Girl Hit by Dirt Bike After Exiting School Bus

Police say a 13-year-old Philadelphia girl was struck by a teenage dirt bike rider moments after exiting her school bus. It happened June 12 during the afternoon route. A witness told WPVI that neighbors who were nearby rushed in to help. Police reported that the dirt bike rider, a 17-year-old, initially tried to flee, but was held up by neighbors.

The student suffered cuts to her head and was taken to a hospital. The dirt bike rider was also cut in the face. Police said the rider received tickets.

New Jersey School Bus Bursts into Flames After Being Evacuated

A Jersey City, New Jersey, school bus carrying six people — including four special needs students — burst into flames in Bergen just after being evacuated on July 12. NJ.com reported that the driver was headed toward Jersey City from a nearby school when the undercarriage of the bus caught fire on an interstate entrance ramp.

The driver pulled over and evacuated the bus with the help of a school faculty member onboard. The occupants stood in an area with brush alongside the roadway as the bus was engulfed in flames. The bus was reduced to its metal frame.