MENU
SEARCHThe motorist crossed the centerline and struck a Hancock County Schools bus head-on.
File photo
A 27-year-old man died Wednesday after his Buick Century crossed the centerline of State Route 1389 in Hawesville, Ky., and struck a Hancock County Schools bus carrying five students and a bus monitor.
Kentucky State Police investigating the accident give this account:
Georgia School Bus Driver Killed in ‘Tragic’ Parking Lot Accident
About 4:30 p.m., Donavon E. Elmendorf of Lewisport was driving east when, for an unknown reason, he crossed into the other lane and into the path of the 2003 Thomas-Freightliner school bus operated by Tracy Y. Rickel, 59.
Hancock County, Ky.
Google Maps
The students and bus monitor reported no injuries and were released to their legal guardians on-scene. Rickel went to a nearby hospital for possible back injuries.
Elmendorf was pronounced dead at the accident site by the Hancock County Coroner’s Office. He had five passengers in the Buick, including three juveniles who were airlifted to Norton’s Children’s Hospital in Louisville. They were listed in stable condition.
Two other passengers, Ashley R. James, 23, and Cody M. Sipes, 26, both of Indiana, were treated at Owensboro Health, until Sipes was taken to University of Louisville Hospital.
State police closed the road for about five hours while they reconstructed the collision. The investigation is ongoing.
The alternative transportation provider’s 2025 Safety Report highlights 99.7% incident-free rides, 130 million safe miles, and more.
Read More →
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 appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.
Read More →
Investigators reported a remote assistance error allowed a Waymo driverless vehicle to illegally pass a stopped school bus in Austin.
Read More →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 has launched a new safety council aimed at standardizing and strengthening student transportation practices across all states it operates in.
Read More →
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 →
