Autopsy Finds School Bus Driver May Have Passed Out Before Crash
Kari Chopper had an enlarged heart and may have experienced abnormal heart rhythm or a fainting episode before she crashed into a pillar at the Denver airport last month, according to the autopsy. No signs of drug or alcohol use were found.
DENVER — An autopsy has found that a school bus driver who crashed into a pillar at the airport and died last month may have lost consciousness before the crash, The Denver Post reports.
As previously reported, the bus driver, Kari Chopper, was picking up high school football team members, who were returning home from Denver International Airport after a game in California. She drove off the road and into a pillar at about 30 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour. The speed limit on the road that the bus was traveling on is closer to about 15 miles per hour, and it is unclear why the bus was there.
The autopsy determined that Chopper had an enlarged heart and may have lost consciousness during the crash, although the autopsy report states that that “cannot be confirmed with any degree of certainty,” according to the newspaper. The autopsy also found that Chopper was overweight, and the report states that abnormal heart rhythm or a fainting episode could have preceded the accident. Toxicology tests found no signs of drug or alcohol use, The Denver Post reports.
Police did not find any mechanical problems with the bus, as previously reported, or any indication that the crash was intentional, according to the newspaper.
To read the full story, go here.
More Safety

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 →
NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners
Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.
Read More →
