Accused Driver in School Bus Hit-and-Run Crash Found, Charged

LANCASTER, Pa. — The driver who was allegedly involved in a recent hit-and-run crash here that injured a school bus full of students has been identified and arrested.

James P. Irvin III was charged on Wednesday with 35 total counts in the May 17 crash, and was arraigned with bail set at $100,000, according to a news release from the district attorney’s office in Lancaster County. He was reportedly driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash.

Irvin’s white Chevy Malibu, driven at the time of the crash, is in police custody, according to the district attorney’s office.

Evidence at this point in the investigation indicates that Irvin caused the crash by attempting to pass a pair of wide load tractor-trailers and their escort vehicles while headed east on Lincoln Highway East. The investigation is ongoing.

As previously reported, the school bus was transporting 14 Lancaster Mennonite School students when Irvin allegedly approached the westbound bus, veered back into the east lane, and struck an escort vehicle, causing that vehicle to veer into the bus. The bus then struck a pre-manufactured home on the tractor-trailer and then tipped on its side.

The students on board and the bus driver were injured. One student, a 6-year-old boy, remains hospitalized, according to the district attorney’s office. Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said that the boy is recovering from "extremely serious injuries" to many parts of his body, Penn Live reports.

The driver of the escort vehicle was treated for minor injuries. Irvin allegedly fled east on Lincoln Highway East after the crash.

Police had released to the public surveillance video and still images of the vehicle. Investigators credit the public and media coverage, which prompted approximately 100 tips, according to the district attorney’s office.

On the evening of May 16, Irvin, through an attorney, contacted East Lampeter Township police. Police contacted Irvin at his parents’ home, where the 2002 Malibu also was located.

In all, Irvin is charged with:

•    16 counts of leaving scene of an accident involving personal injury/death (two felonies, 14 misdemeanors).
•    16 counts of leaving scene of an accident involving personal injury/death while not properly licensed (two felonies, 14 misdemeanors).
•    One count of misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident involving property.
•    Two summary citations for driving on a suspended license and travel lane violation.