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’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 →
