2 killed, 26 juveniles taken to hospitals after school bus crash in Florida
Two people, including a high school student, were killed in a crash involving a school bus and two other vehicles in Winter Haven, Florida, according to local officials. About 26 children were taken to hospitals, and one person is in critical condition.
The crash happened at about 6:13 a.m. Monday on Lucerne Park Road, also known as State Road 544, west of Jacaranda Avenue near the Brookhaven Village community on Winter Haven’s northeast side, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Grady Judd said a preliminary review of video showed the bus heading eastbound when a white Chevrolet Malibu traveling westbound crossed the center line and struck its rear wheels.
“The school bus was clearly in its lane of travel,” Judd said.
The impact caused the bus to lose traction and appears to have ripped off a tire, according to the sheriff. The bus then crossed into the westbound lane and hit a silver Jeep head-on. The Jeep then caught fire.
A 10th-grade girl aboard the bus and an occupant of the Jeep were killed. The bus was carrying 37 students to Winter Haven High School, along with the driver and the driver’s 9-year-old daughter, for a total of 39 people.
The sheriff’s office said about 26 children went to hospitals. Judd estimated that five to seven patients were designated trauma alerts. Patients were transported by helicopter, ambulance and private vehicle.
Judd said more than 40 people were “injured or involved in the crash,” including those aboard the bus and occupants of the other two vehicles.
One person is in critical condition, while several others are still being treated. Some have already been released, and most are expected to be treated and released soon.
The Malibu’s driver is cooperating with investigators and is not under arrest. Judd said the driver was on the way to work, but authorities do not yet know why the car crossed the center line.
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