Florida school bus driver killed in crash
According to a preliminary police investigation, a Toyota Camry turned and struck a school bus, which veered off the road and into a pole. The bus driver, 65-year-old William Fowler II, did not survive the crash. The Toyota driver has been charged with DUI, authorities say.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A school bus driver here was killed when his bus was struck by a car and ran off the road, and the car driver has been charged with DUI, authorities said.
Police, fire and medical personnel responded to the crash, which happened around 2:25 a.m. on Friday.
According to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the bus was carrying a high school track team. Including students and coaches, there were 33 passengers on board.
Police said that the preliminary investigation at the scene found that a Toyota Camry driven by Sarah Walker, 25, was traveling east on a parkway when it turned at an intersection and struck the school bus, which was headed west on the parkway.
Police said that after the initial impact, the bus veered off of the road and struck a traffic signal pole. The bus driver, 65-year-old William Fowler II, did not survive the crash.
Two students and one coach suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital.
According to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Toyota driver, Walker, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. She was taken to the county jail.
Authorities said on Friday that the investigation was continuing.
More Safety
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.
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 →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
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 →
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 →