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.
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

How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →
New Study Finds School Zone Speed Safety Cameras Cut Speeding Violations 97%
A Florida university's research demonstrates that Verra Mobility's automated enforcement changes driver behavior and significantly improves school zone safety.
Read More →
What Changed in DOT’s New National Roadway Safety Strategy?
The federal agency's new plan shifts its focus to safer people, roads and vehicles, with a new three-pronged approach instead of five. One outlined action even addresses a key industry concern around illegal school bus passing.
Read More →
Are Autonomous Vehicles Ready to Safely Navigate School Bus Stops?
NHTSA is accelerating autonomous vehicle deployment through new safety standards and commercial approvals. See why school transportation leaders are watching.
Read More →
NFL Star Lomas Brown Kicks Off New Illegal School Bus Passing PSA
Just in time for the back-to-school season, the former Detroit Lions offensive tackle took time to record a video encouraging motorists to slow down around school buses.
Read More →
How Two Texas Districts Built Award-Winning Safety Programs
Learn how Prosper ISD and Rockwall ISD earned National Safety Council honors through hands-on training, safety culture, and strategies that reduced transportation incidents.
Read More →
NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes
The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.
Read More →
2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing
New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.
Read More →
Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York
A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.
Read More →
