Driver dies after Virginia school bus crash, seven injured
CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE, Va. — Seven Charlotte County Public Schools students were injured after their bus ran off the road and hit a tree yesterd...
CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE, Va. — Seven Charlotte County Public Schools students were injured after their bus ran off the road and hit a tree yesterday morning.
WDBJ News-7 reported that the students were all boys between the ages of 12 and 15, and were transported to area hospitals following the incident. Their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
In a statement, Charlotte County Superintendent of Schools Melody Hackney said a total of 32 middle school students were on board the bus, and police reports indicate that the driver, Phyllis Pollard, may have experienced a medical emergency immediately prior to the accident. She later died upon arrival at a local hospital.
“Please join me in keeping the family of Mrs. Pollard, as well as all students involved in this tragic incident in your thoughts and prayers,” Hackney said. Police Sergeant Dave Cooper said Pollard had been a bus driver for the Charlotte County district for about eight years. Her husband, a county sheriff’s deputy, was in a vehicle behind the bus and saw it go off the road.
A full investigation of the accident is being conducted.
More Safety

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 →
The Driver Shortage Playbook
Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.
Read More →
Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
