MONTGOMERY, N.Y. — A school bus driver who reportedly suffered a medical event and was involved in a crash while driving students home from a sporting event on Friday died two days later.
A notice posted to the Warwick Valley Central School District website on Friday stated that at about 7:15 p.m. on Friday, a bus driver who was transporting 22 students who are members of the girls varsity tennis team was involved in a crash, hitting a tree after entering an exit ramp. No students were injured and the driver was taken to the hospital, according to the district. Parents were notified and the Warwick High School principal joined students and waited with them until they had all been picked up by their parents.
The bus driver, identified as Denise Schmidt by the Daily Freeman, was bringing the students home from a 4 p.m. match, according to the Times Herald-Record.
Schmidt was about to merge the bus onto Interstate 84 when she slumped over the wheel and the bus accelerated onto the entrance ramp, the Daily Freeman reports. Police said that the bus traveled off the shoulder and into a ravine before hitting a tree, according to the news source. The right side of the bus was damaged, according to the Times Herald-Record.
Police also said, according to the Daily Freeman, that none of the students aboard, who ranged in age from 15 years old to 17 years old, or the coach, were injured. Two students were performing CPR on Schmidt when troopers arrived. First responders continued CPR and took her to the hospital, the news source reports.
Schmidt died on Sunday, the Daily Freeman reports.
New York School Bus Driver Dies Days After Crash
Denise Schmidt reportedly suffers a medical event, slumps over the wheel, and the bus accelerates and crashes into a tree. The coach and 22 students on board are not injured.
More Safety

What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026
Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.
Read More →
NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck
A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: Driver Shortages, EV Debates & Safety Upgrades
From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Senate Report: Autonomous Car Companies Hiding Reliance on Remote Operators
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.
Read More →
Industry Suppliers Offer Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminders
Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.
Read More →
NTSB Names Michael Graham Vice Chair: Where He Stands on School Bus Safety
A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.
Read More →
'A Train Is Coming': Florida School Bus Close Call Highlights Critical Railroad Safety Reminders
Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.
Read More →
No Train, No Stop? FMCSA Considers Rule Change for School Buses
The federal agency's proposed rulemaking would eliminate the requirement for school buses to come to a complete stop at railroad crossings if the warning device is not activated. The goal: to improve traffic flow and save costs. With new data released, public comment is open through April 27, 2026.
Read More →

