School Bus Driver Reportedly Lies About Cause of Crash

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — A school bus driver who was involved in a crash with students aboard his bus reportedly put them in danger and lied to officers about how the crash occurred, police told KSBW on Wednesday.

The crash happened on April 23, just before 8 a.m., the news source reports. The school bus smashed into a power pole, splitting the pole in half, and live power lines became entangled around the bus. Bus driver Francisco Solano Valenzuela instructed the 34 student passengers to exit the bus, even though the fallen power lines presented a hazard, according to the California Highway Patrol. None of the students was seriously injured, and the bus was equipped with seat belts, which Highway Patrol officers said likely prevented injuries in the crash.

Valenzuela claimed to officers that he had to swerve to avoid an SUV that had crossed into oncoming traffic in front of him, and that the driver of the vehicle had fled the scene. However, officers told KSBW that school bus surveillance camera footage shows that Valenzuela fell asleep.

Valenzuela faces two misdemeanors: giving false information to a peace officer and child endangerment, according to the news source.

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