SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

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

James P. Irvin III of Pennsylvania is charged with 35 counts in the May 17 crash, which injured 14 students aboard the bus. One remains hospitalized.

Nicole Schlosser
Nicole SchlosserFormer Executive Editor
May 30, 2017
2 min to read


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.

More Safety

Emergency response personnel assist participants evacuating through the rear emergency door of a yellow school bus during a hands-on safety training exercise at Prosper ISD. Smoke fills the bus interior as responders demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 21, 2026

Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas

Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.

Read More →
BusPatrol cameras on the side of a school bus.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsMay 6, 2026

Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards

After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.

Read More →
A group of people in business attire pose for a photo in front of a school bus, with text reading "Legislative Roundup: May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 6, 2026

School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes

From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic with part of a school bus and text reading "Fatal Accident in Brooklyn."
Safetyby StaffMay 5, 2026

9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection

A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.

Read More →
A blue and white graphic with text reading "2026 Safety & Operations Report" with an image of the cover of the report.
Safetyby StaffMay 4, 2026

Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes

The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026

Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
an overturned school bus on a roadway after an accident
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 24, 2026

NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation

The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredApril 20, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.

Read More →
A close-up view of the top of a yellow school bus with “School Bus” signage and red lights, overlaid with a cracked-glass effect. Text on the image reads, “Multi-Vehicle Crash in TN Takes 2 Lives” and “March 27, 2026,” with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 17, 2026

2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck

A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of Wisconsin political figures by a table and text reading "Legislative Roundup April 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesApril 17, 2026

School Bus Laws To Watch: Driver Shortages, EV Debates & Safety Upgrades

From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →