Video Shows Truck Sideswiping School Bus, Nearly Hitting State Trooper
Just seconds after an Iowa state trooper pulled over to help a broken-down school bus, a semi sideswiped it and barely missed hitting him. None of the 40 students aboard the bus were hurt.
DES MOINES, Iowa — A state trooper who was trying to assist a broken-down school bus on the side of the road was nearly hit by a semi-truck that sideswiped the bus, KCCI reports.
Video from the patrol car shows that on Jan. 22, just seconds after Captain Randy Jones of the Iowa State Patrol pulled over to help the bus driver, a semi sideswiped the bus and barely missed hitting him. None of the 40 students aboard the bus were hurt, according to the news source.
Todd Nunemaker, the driver of the semi, said he looked down for a second to pick up something when the accident happened, according to KCCI. He was fined $195 for failing to move over.
Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Nathan Ludwig told the news source that this happens every day to public service workers such as deputies, city officers and tow truck drivers. He reminded motorists to move over or slow down if they see emergency lights on the side of the road.
To watch video of the incident and read the full story, go here.
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