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SEARCHRecent school bus accidents across North America highlight growing safety concerns, with multiple accidents in the first few days of November. From deadly crashes in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Canada, to a self-inflicted shooting on a Florida bus, explore the latest reports here.
SBF's accident roundup includes details on some of the latest crashes involving school buses.
Photo: SBF/Canva
Not even a week into November, and more reports of school bus crashes and fatalities are in from around the U.S. and Canada.
Note: While this is not a comprehensive report of all incidents and accidents, SBF did aim to inform you of the most notable stories.
In Milwaukee on Monday, Nov. 4., a woman involved in a multi-vehicle crash with a school bus died. According to a TMJ4 report, 26-year-old Kathryn Lemke passed stopped vehicles at a red light on the right, ran the same light, and hit the back of the bus. It is believed she was speeding, not wearing a seat belt, and using her phone.
Five vehicles were involved in the crash after the impact forced the bus into nearby cars. The bus driver and three others were taken to a hospital but are OK. No students were on board. The bus was overturned on its side on the scene.
The next day, a 41-year-old man died in Philadelphia when he was on an electric scooter and collided with traffic. According to NBCPhiladelphia, then he struck a traffic control device, then a parked vehicle, then a school bus stopped at a light. Authorities have not released the name or further details.
In Alberta near Edmonton on Tuesday, an 18-year-old woman died after colliding with a school bus, according to a Global News report. The passenger in her vehicle is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries after being airlifted away. Their SUV was totaled in the crash, and the bus was flipped over in a ditch. The bus driver received only minor injuries and was the only person aboard.
The Edmonton Journal reported that RCMP said the SUV went through an intersection when it wasn't safe and was struck by the bus.
A middle school student in St. Petersburg, Fla., brought a gun onto the school bus yesterday, Nov. 5, subsequently suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators are working to determine additional details. No other students were injured. She is hospitalized, but in stable condition. Local police issued an urge to gun owners to remember to keep firearms locked and secure at all times. (ABC News)
In Lafayette, La., five school buses were involved in a major crash on I-10 that injured multiple high school students en route to a marching band competition. KPLCTV said that it happened when one bus collided with another in front of it, causing a chain reaction. Nine students were treated for injuries ranging from mild to moderate.
In Randolph County, Ind., today, three were injured after a school bus crashed into a home. Twenty students were on the bus and the house’s residents were sleeping inside at the time. Two students and the bus driver were transported to a hospital with injuries. According to Dayton 247, a public safety director believes the driver experienced a medical event, causing the crash. Older students on the bus safely transported others off.
Yesterday morning in Sioux County, Iowa, 18 students and two others were sent to the hospital after a pickup and a school bus collided in an intersection near Granville. The driver of the pickup received critical injuries, and one student with serious injuries was transferred to another hospital. It’s not clear yet what caused the crash. (KTIV)
This all comes just after an October where we know of at least four fatalities and 50+ injuries from other school bus-related accidents.
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