School Bus Driver Cited After Crashing into Apartment Building
The North Carolina driver is cited for failing to maintain lane control after her bus hits a stopped car, causing the bus to veer off the road and hit the building.
A driver for Charlotte-Mecklenberg (N.C.) Schools was cited for failing to maintain lane control after her bus hit a stopped car, causing the bus to veer off the road and hit the building. Photo courtesy Charlotte Fire Department
A driver for Charlotte-Mecklenberg (N.C.) Schools was cited for failing to maintain lane control after her bus hit a stopped car, causing the bus to veer off the road and hit the building. Photo courtesy Charlotte Fire Department
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A school bus driver who crashed into an apartment building on Thursday has been cited, WCNC reports.
The accident happened in the 2600 block of Statesville Ave. Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department told the news source that 35-year-old Lashandra Chere Williams was cited for failure to maintain lane control after her bus left its lane of travel and hit a car stopped in a turn lane, causing the bus to veer off the road and hit the building. Police told WCNC that both Williams and the motorist of the stopped car were screened and no evidence of impairment was found. Speed also did not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to the news source. Williams was taken for a drug screening, and suspended with pay, per Charlotte-Mecklenberg Schools standard procedure, WCNC reports.
The district said in a statement on its Facebook page that the bus was transporting 15 students to Ranson Middle School at the time of the crash, and that no serious injuries were reported. The district added in its statement that they were thankful for the quick response of emergency personnel and the district's staff, and that safe transportation arrangements were provided to the students on board. The district also said it will review events leading up to the crash as law enforcement investigate the incident to help ensure the safety of its students and transportation staff.
Charlotte Fire Department said in a tweet that a total of 16 firefighters stabilized the apartment building with assistance from the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department, leaving two residents and their pets displaced.
More Safety
From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible
Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.
Read More →
HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses
Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council
More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.
Read More →
What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation
The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.
Read More →
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →
2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash
A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.
Read More →
Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts
With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.
Read More →
School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction
What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.
Read More →