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.
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.
More Safety

What’s Behind HopSkipDrive’s Near-Perfect Safety Record in 2025?
The alternative transportation provider’s 2025 Safety Report highlights 99.7% incident-free rides, 130 million safe miles, and more.
Read More →2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →
Child Safety Network Taps Dr. Michael C. Hout to Combat School Bus Stop-Arm Runners
Child Safety Network appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.
Read More →
NTSB Determines Human Error Led to Waymo’s Illegal School Bus Passing
Investigators reported a remote assistance error allowed a Waymo driverless vehicle to illegally pass a stopped school bus in Austin.
Read More →
National Action Plan Aims to End Illegal School Bus Passings Across the U.S.
See how a new 50-state roadmap outlines 69 strategies for districts, law enforcement, and policymakers to reduce the 39 million illegal school bus passings reported each year.
Read More →
11-Year-Old Student Dies After Falling Under School Bus
Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.
Read More →
7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner
Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.
Read More →
The Real Cost of Bus Fleet Downtime
When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.
Read More →
EverDriven Launches New Council to Standardize Safety Across 36 States
EverDriven has launched a new safety council aimed at standardizing and strengthening student transportation practices across all states it operates in.
Read More →
Thomas Built Buses Awards “If You Pass” Safety Campaign Funds to Ga. District
The OEM's three-week campaign during National School Bus Safety Week has awarded nearly $6,000 to Bryan County Schools to support increasing student safety around the bus.
Read More →
