School Bus Driver Cited After Crashing into Apartment Building

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A school bus driver who crashed into an apartment building on Thursday has been cited, WCNC reports.

The accident happened in the 2600 block of Statesville Ave. Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department told the news source that 35-year-old Lashandra Chere Williams was cited for failure to maintain lane control after her bus left its lane of travel and hit a car stopped in a turn lane, causing the bus to veer off the road and hit the building. Police told WCNC that both Williams and the motorist of the stopped car were screened and no evidence of impairment was found. Speed also did not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to the news source. Williams was taken for a drug screening, and suspended with pay, per Charlotte-Mecklenberg Schools standard procedure, WCNC reports.

The district said in a statement on its Facebook page that the bus was transporting 15 students to Ranson Middle School at the time of the crash, and that no serious injuries were reported. The district added in its statement that they were thankful for the quick response of emergency personnel and the district's staff, and that safe transportation arrangements were provided to the students on board. The district also said it will review events leading up to the crash as law enforcement investigate the incident to help ensure the safety of its students and transportation staff.

Charlotte Fire Department said in a tweet that a total of 16 firefighters stabilized the apartment building with assistance from the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department, leaving two residents and their pets displaced.