WENATCHEE, Wash. — Forty-three students and the driver of a school bus were taken to the hospital following a fatal collision involving the bus, a truck and a car on Thursday morning, KOMO reports.
Investigators told the news source that a large box truck appears to have collided head-on with the car and then careened head-on into the school bus. Trooper Darren Wright of the Washington State Patrol told KOMO that the driver of the car was killed in the crash. Chief Jim Oatey of Douglas County Fire District 4 said that at least seven other people were "heavily injured" in the accident.
The school bus was operated by the Orondo School District, according to KOMO. State troopers told the news outlet the two occupants of the truck as well as the students and school bus driver were taken to the hospital to be checked out or treated for injuries.
Wright told KOMO the state patrol is trying to determine whether the truck driver was fatigued at the time of the accident, and that he crossed the center line of the roadway and struck the vehicles. Douglas County Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal said that the road was clear and dry at the time of the crash.
To read the full story, go here.
Students, bus driver injured in fatal crash
A truck apparently collided head-on with a car, then careened head-on into an Orondo (Wash.) School District bus, injuring some students, the bus driver and the two truck occupants. The driver of the car was killed.

A truck apparently collided head-on with a car, then careened head-on into an Orondo (Wash.) School District bus, injuring multiple students, the bus driver and the two truck occupants. The driver of the car was killed.
Photo courtesy Trooper Darren Wright, Washington State Patrol
More Safety

Autonomous Vehicles Aren’t Built for Student Transportation [Op-Ed]
Driverless cars may feel the future, but student transportation requires more than navigation. Here’s why it demands human judgment, empathy, and oversight.
Read More →
New York Girl Killed by School Bus Hit & Run
An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.
Read More →
Disaster Readiness Starts Before the Storm [Call for Experts]
The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.
Read More →
How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
New York 5-Year-Old Killed by School Bus, Investigation Ongoing
A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.
Read More →
Prevent School Bus Dragging Incidents: Anti-Pinch Door Sensors and Maine’s New Mandate
As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.
Read More →
8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations
What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.
Read More →
Survey: Most Parents Want Automated Enforcement on School Buses
A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.
Read More →
State Grant Program Advances School Bus Safety Upgrades Across Ohio
$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.
Read More →
Waymo Scrutiny Intensifies as NTSB Launches Investigation
After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.
Read More →
