A 7-year-old boy died after being struck by a school bus moments after exiting his vehicle in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

According to a  news release from the Greenwich Township Police Department, officers responded around 3:40 p.m. May 8 to reports of a “pedestrian motor vehicle crash involving a juvenile and a school bus.”

When officers arrived at the scene, they joined nearby residents in administering emergency medical aid to the child before Gloucester County Emergency Medical Services took over treatment efforts. The boy was transported to Cooper University Hospital, where he later died from his injuries, police said.

Authorities later identified the child as Hunter Smith of Gibbstown. Investigators said they believe the crash happened shortly after the boy exited the school bus. The incident stunned residents in the neighborhood, as emergency lights filled the streets while first responders worked to save the child.

“I heard the police and ambulance and all that stuff,” one neighbor told local news reporters. “I thought it was down the street. Then I come and look out here and, next thing you know, the whole neighborhood’s crawling with red lights and blue lights.”

The neighbor said he frequently saw the boy walking to and from the bus stop. “I see the kid walking up, down the street every day, either going to school or coming from school or to the bus stop,” he said. “It’s tragic, it’s devastating for the family. May God rest his soul.”

Investigation Underway As Video Shows Horrific Aftermath of Incident

Video captured by a Ring doorbell camera and obtained by a local news outlet showed a frantic aftermath moments after the collision. In the footage, a woman can be seen rushing to a nearby home and pleading for help while the school bus remained stopped in the roadway. Several residents gathered around the Smith in an attempt to assist before emergency crews arrived.

The bus involved in the incident was operated by Holcomb Transportation. A spokesperson for the company confirmed to local reporters that the bus driver is a 48-year-old woman who has worked for Holcomb Transportation since 2024 and had no prior issues.

In a statement via local news, Holcomb Transportation said it is “heartbroken” and “deeply concerned” over the tragedy.

“We are fully cooperating with all relevant authorities as they work to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident,” Frank Patrinicola, the company’s director of safety and risk, said in part. “In addition to the official investigation, we have launched our own internal review to understand exactly what happened and to ensure that every appropriate measure is taken moving forward.”

Officials have not released additional details about how the crash occurred or whether any charges are being considered. The incident remains under investigation. In the wake of the tragedy, community organizations and local officials began offering support to grieving residents and students.

A representative from Clonmell United Methodist Church announced it would open Saturday for residents impacted by the incident, according to the police department’s release. The Greenwich Township School District in New Jersey also said counseling services would be available for students.

According to data compiled by School Transportation News, at least eight student fatalities tied to school transportation incidents have occurred during the current 2025–2026 school year, including six pedestrian deaths in which students were struck by school buses. STN research also identified that at least 18 students died in school transportation-related incidents during the 2024–2025 school year. Of those cases, at least eight involved students who were struck and killed by a school bus.

Related: School Bus Hits, Kills 9-Year-Old Boy in New York City
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Related: Louisiana Student Struck and Killed by School Bus

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A Madison County father and son are recounting the frightening moments after a pickup truck slammed into a stopped school bus, sending debris flying and leaving multiple people injured, reported WKTV News.

According to the news report, the crash happened May 7 at around 7:15 a.m. on Route 20 in front of the Rutkowski family home in Bouckville. Jeremiah Rutkowski, a high school junior, had just walked outside to board the Madison Central School District bus, when he saw the truck approaching.

“I just figured like if that thing’s not going to stop, it’s either going to hit the bus and something’s coming flying at me or the entire truck is coming flying at me,” Jeremiah told local news reporters.

Security video from the home and shared across social media showed the school bus stopped on the roadside as Jeremiah walked toward it, moments before the collision. He quickly jumped back to avoid debris as the truck crashed into the rear of the bus, pushing it farther down the road.

Jeremiah ran back onto the porch while his father, Matt Rutkowski, rushed outside after hearing what he described as the sound of “crunching metal.”

“[My] first priority was to make sure my son was safe and good,” Matt Rutkowski said. “Opening that door, wasn’t sure what would happen, so big sigh of relief. That’s why I instantly gave him a hug.”

Minor Injuries Reported

State Police said 23 students and the bus driver were aboard the bus. The 29-year-old bus driver and two students were transported to a hospital with minor injuries. An adult and two children were inside the pickup truck. The adult was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and later issued numerous tickets for distraction and following too closely.

Matt Rutkowski said he was relieved to find the bus driver alert and students safely exiting the vehicle. He called 911 and, along with passing motorists, helped manage the scene until emergency crews arrived.

Jeremiah said he initially froze in shock before focusing on comforting one of the children from the truck. “Once one of the kids was out of the truck and needed comforting and was sent to the porch, my brain just sort of kicked into that child caring mode,” he said via the report.

Jeremiah, who works as a camp counselor, said his experience helping children took over during the chaotic aftermath. Both father and son said they were grateful no one suffered serious injuries.

“My first thought was for him, then just went through everyone else,” Matt said. “It really makes you appreciate the moment.”

Related: Semi-truck Driver Says Brakes Failed Before Florida School Bus Crash
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Related: Three-Vehicle Crash Involving School Buses Leaves Seven Injured
Related: Louisiana Child Hit by Truck, 19-Year-Old Driver Arrested

The post Terrifying Moments for Father, Son When Pickup Crashes into NY School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus hit and killed a 9-year-old boy in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, prompting renewed calls from residents and city leaders for safety improvements at a busy intersection, reported ABC News 7.

According to the news report, police identified the child as Yoel Jacobowitz. He was crossing the street May 1 on his way to school, when the school bus hit him around 8:15 a.m. in South Williamsburg.

Investigators said a private Yeshiva school bus was turning onto Lorimer Street at the time. The 49-year-old driver, who was not identified at this reportg, initially continued driving after hitting the child. The driver then returned to the scene once alerted of the school bus hit the boy. Jacobowitz was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges had been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The crash stunned members of the neighborhood’s Orthodox Jewish community, many of whom gathered nearby in prayer and mourning while expressing frustration over traffic conditions and street safety.

Traffic Patterns, Congestion Blamed

“The traffic here is crazy. There needs to be some guidance and some rules,” one resident told local news reporters.

Residents said the intersection has become increasingly hazardous, especially because of ongoing construction work that has left the area without clearly marked crosswalks and street markings.

“It’s a very, very busy intersection,” another community member said. “We have a lot going on, a lot of stores and a lot of people crossing over. We need something to be done so this doesn’t keep happening.”

Witnesses and neighbors described the area as especially crowded May 1 as families prepared for Shabbat.

City leaders urged the New York City Department of Transportation to examine signal timing and consider immediate changes to improve conditions for pedestrians. Mayor Zohran Mamdani reportedly said that he was “devastated” by the child’s death and called the crash “a painful reminder” of the need to make city streets safer for pedestrians.

Related: N.Y. Child Struck, Killed by School Bus
Related: 14-Year-Old Struck by School Bus in New Jersey
Related: Massachusetts Student Struck, Killed by School Bus
Related: Louisiana Student Struck and Killed by School Bus

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More U.S. Environmental Protection Agency news and webinars on funding, plus how clean energy demand intersects with AI’s need for resources. Conversations continue at ACT EXPO this week and the Green Bus Summit at STN EXPO West in July.

“The tragedy will never leave you.” Shocking real-life stories abound in this special extended episode as 91-year-old industry legend and consultant Richard “Dick” Fischer underscores the need for thorough safety leadership and training. He discusses student transportation history, school bus crashes in the news, drunk and criminal drivers, illegal passing and the Danger Zone. See him live at STN EXPO West and email him to sign up for his free safety newsletter.

Read more about safety and access safety resources.

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The post (STN Podcast E305) It’s Your Job: Industry Legend Dick Fischer Talks School Bus Safety, Training appeared first on School Transportation News.

The National Transportation Safety Board called for alcohol detection systems in all school buses with the release of its final report of a March 2024 school bus crash in Calhoun County, West Virginia, determining a drunk school bus driver caused the incident.

The NTSB stated in the report released April 23 that a 77-passenger, 2022 IC school bus was carrying a driver and 19 students, aged 11 to 18. The crash occurred during the third trip of the day, an activity run, for bus driver Jeffery Allen Brannon, third bus trip. According to video footage from the school bus, Brannon began the run at 5:44 p.m. NTSB stated Brannon arrived at the middle and high school at 5:45 p.m. to pick up students and left the school about 5:47 p.m., after the students boarded the bus.

“About three minutes after the bus left the school, the video footage showed the school bus as it approached a left-hand curve while traveling at a speed of around 42 mph,” the report states, noting the two-lane road has a posted speed limit of 55 mph. “As the [Brannon] executed the curve, the bus departed the right side of the paved roadway. Video from the bus showed that the bus’s speed was 39 mph when it departed the road.”

Upon leaving the road, the bus continued to follow the curve, struck the end of the culvert with its right-front tire, continued south, and then struck a wooden fence. The bus began to yaw counterclockwise as it reentered the roadway. The bus right-rear tire struck the culvert end, and the bus rolled a quarter turn onto its right (loading door) side. The bus came to rest on its right side across both lanes, completely blocking the southbound lane and partially blocking the northbound lane.

Three students were seriously injured, 16 had minor injuries. and Brannon was uninjured.

The NTSB determined the probable cause was Brannon’s alcohol impairment, which led to loss of control, roadway departure and the rollover. Post-crash toxicology tests showed his BAC at 0.161 grams per deciliter about 50 minutes after the crash and 0.127 grams per deciliter about one and a half hours after the crash, NTSB stated in the report.

The 0.161 BAC is over four times the federal limit for commercial drivers.

The agency issued a recommendation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that all new school buses be equipped with a vehicle-integrated alcohol detection system that prevents or limits operation when driver alcohol impairment is detected.

Brannon was found guilty on three counts of DUI, causing serious bodily injury and 16 counts of child neglect creating a risk of serious bodily injury or death. He was sentenced to between 22 years and 110 years in prison.

Drunk School Bus Drivers an Increasing Problem

An NTSB press release states that a Stateline investigation “found that from 2015 through 2019, 118 school bus drivers nationwide were cited or arrested for operating a bus while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.”

School bus industry trainer Dick Fischer collects news article reports about drunk school bus drivers among other safety topics. He said he found 28 instances of school bus drivers arrested for either driving drunk or under the influence of drugs during the 2024-2025 school year. For this school year so far, August through April, Fischer has recorded 20 instances of school bus drivers being impaired.

Meanwhile, the NTSB also “noted that active and passive alcohol detection technologies already exist that can prevent a vehicle from operating if driver alcohol impairment is detected,” the press release adds. “These systems are being used successfully on school buses in parts of Europe as a preventive safety measure.”

It also found that the lack of passenger lap/shoulder seatbelts on the school bus contributed to injury severity. The report noted that unbelted students were thrown into the bus interior and other students. The agency said students struck seats, windows, sidewalls, the roof area, personal items, and other passengers during the rollover sequence. One serious injury ultimately resulted in a lower-leg amputation.

The agency reiterated that properly worn lap/shoulder seatbelts reduce injuries and that policy must go beyond installing belts, but also districts need to enforce usage procedures. It recommends that West Virginia school bus passengers use seatbelts when available and school districts should establish usage procedures with routine audits. Audits should consist of pre-departure driver instruction, periodic belt-use inspections, video review where cameras exist and training for not only administrations and drivers, but parents and students as well.

Related: Alleged Drunk Driving Lands Oregon School Bus Driver in Jail
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Faces Sentence After DUI Crash
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Accused of DUI, Accepts Guilty Plea
Related: South Carolina School Bus Driver Charged with DUI While Transporting Students

As part of this crash, the NTSB also examined a similar crash that took place in Dale, Texas, where unbelted students were thrown about the interior of a school bus. In March 2024, a concrete truck driven by Jerry Hernandez struck a Hays CISD school bus, killing 5-year-old Ulises Montoya who. The bus, carrying 44 students and 11 adults, was returning from a field trip. Hernandez, who confessed to using drugs and having little sleep, was sentenced to 18 years in prison but became eligible for parole in April 2026.

Related: Truck Driver Admitted Cocaine Use Before Fatal Texas School Bus Crash
Related: Texas School District Adopts Accelerated Seatbelt Plan Following Fatal Bus Crash

NTSB reiterated to West Virginia that it require all new large school buses to be equipped with passenger lap/shoulder belts at all passenger seating positions.

In the report, the NTSB noted that video cameras were important for investigation and support compliance. The school bus involved in the crash had seven cameras, including interior cameras that showed driver actions, passenger movement, vehicle speed and the crash sequence. It found that weather, roadway condition/signage, school bus speed, mechanical condition, driver licensing/training/experience, non-alcohol drugs, distraction from phone/students/loading doors, Calhoun County Board of Education policies, medical condition and fatigue were not causal or contributory factors.

The post Alcohol Detection Systems in School Buses Among Latest NTSB Recommendations appeared first on School Transportation News.

The National Transportation Safety Board recounted the incidents leading up to the fatal March 27 Clarksville-Montgomery County School System bus crash with release of a preliminary report, but the agency won’t know or release the exact cause for another year and a half.

NTSB wrote in its preliminary report that the crash occurred April 16 at about 11:35 a.m. A Clarksville-Montgomery school bus was traveling west on US-70 in Carroll County, Tennessee, a two-lane roadway with a 55-mph speed limit. The school bus was occupied by the driver, named in a lawsuit as Sabrina Ducksworth, four adult chaperones and 24 student passengers. Ducksworth was taking students from Kenwood Middle School to a school event in Jackson.

At the same time, a 2013 International WorkStar dump truck operated by the Tennessee Department of Transportation and occupied by a driver and passenger as well as a 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer sport utility, also occupied by a driver and passenger, were traveling east in the oncoming lane. The weather was clear and the roadway was dry.

As the school bus approached a curve in the highway, it crossed the centerline and entered the eastbound lane. NTSB said the left side of the school bus struck the left side of the dump truck in a sideswipe collision. After hitting the dump truck, the school bus then collided with the SUV, departed the roadway to the south, and came to rest facing down the roadside embankment. The school bus remained upright.

Two student school bus fatalities resulted. Local media outlets identified the students as two eighth-grade girls: Zoe Davis and Arianna Pearson, both 13 years old. School bus driver Ducksworth sustained serious injuries. Bus passenger injuries ranged from minor to serious and the two occupants of the dump truck also sustained serious injuries. The NTSB stated that occupants of the SUV were uninjured.

Related: Update: Tennessee Crash Kills 2 Students During Field Trip
Related: Chattanooga School Bus Driver Receives 4-Year Prison Sentence
Related: Florida Driver Arrested After Train Strikes School Bus Carrying 29 Students
Related: First Responders Critical in School Bus Emergencies

NTSB Preliminary Report Follows Filing of Lawsuit

As STN previously reported, the parents of Davis filed a wrongful death lawsuit in response to the school bus fatalities. The family seeks a jury award of up to $5 million.

The suit alleges that Ducksworth was distracted, fatigued, reckless, and failed to follow training, traffic laws and lane discipline. The lawsuit also claims the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System was negligent in hiring, training and supervising her. The lawsuit additionally argues the district failed to adequately check her fitness for the job before hiring her.

However, others in local media reports or on social media expressed that Duckworth may have suffered a medical episode.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are aiding in the investigation, which remains under investigation. NTSB told School Transportation News it cannot share details of what the FMCSA is assisting on, but said all NTSB investigations operate under what a “Party System,” which allows the agency to bring in technical experts from other organizations to supplement the knowledge of our investigators.”

The post NTSB Preliminary Report Details Fatal Tennessee School Bus Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

A semi-truck driver says his brakes failed moments before he rear-ended a school bus carrying about 30 kindergarteners on a field trip April 9, reported News 4 Jax.

According to the news report, the Duval County school bus was transporting students from San Pablo Elementary School to the Jacksonville Zoo. It stopped at railroad tracks when it was struck from behind by the semi.

Four children were reportedly taken to the hospital with injuries. Injuries included two broken legs, cuts to the head and chest pain. Authorities have not released updates on the conditions of those injured.

According to the report, the semi-truck driver told police he saw the bus stopped at the tracks and attempted to brake but said his, “brakes were not working.” The driver swerved in an effort to avoid the collision but was unable to stop in time. He was cited for careless driving. Investigators noted he was not distracted at the time of the crash.

Investigation Into Vehicle Records

Dalya Farah, an attorney representing the families of three injured students, said the focus now shifts to the truck’s condition and maintenance history.

“We will most likely inspect the truck. There’s a lot of information on semi-trucks that we can’t obtain otherwise,” Farah said via the article.

She added that inspection records and maintenance logs will be critical in determining whether mechanical failure played a role or if other factors contributed. “When it comes to a semi case, there could be a lot of factors that go into fault,” she said.

Records reviewed by local news reporters show five other crashes linked to the trucking company, Universal Logistics Holdings, over the past two years. It is unclear whether the same semi-truck driver was involved or who was at fault in those incidents. The company has also undergone 74 inspections during that period, though that figure may include its entire fleet.

A company manager declined to comment when contacted by local news reporters, the article states.

Investigators continue to examine whether mechanical issues, including possible brake failure, contributed to the crash.

Written with assistance from AI.

Related: Oregon School Bus Driver Charged in Fatal Field Trip Crash
Related: Florida Man’s School Bus Crash Claim Highlights Limits of Government Immunity
Related: Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Dies as Result of Crash
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Faces Sentence After DUI Crash

The post Semi-truck Driver Says Brakes Failed Before Florida School Bus Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

CONCORD, N.C. — Federal safety officials are urging stronger seatbelt usage by students and increased awareness of dangers around school buses following a series of high-profile crashes, including a recent fatal incident under investigation in Tennessee.

In providing the parting takeways at STN EXPO East conference last month, Meg Sweeney, lead investigator and project manager for the National Transportation Safety Board, outlined how ongoing investigations and previous crash reconstructions are shaping new safety recommendations aimed at protecting student passengers and pedestrians.

“Our mission is to investigate crashes, determine a probable cause and then write recommendations to prevent future similar crashes,” Sweeney told attendees during the final conference session March 31.

The NTSB recently launched a “go team” to Tennessee after a fatal school bus crash killed two middle school students, though Sweeney said details remained limited in the early stages of the investigation. The crash took the lives of two middle school girls and parents of the deceased have since filed a lawsuit against the district and the driver.

The agency is also examining a separate student dragging fatality, underscoring the risks students face not only inside the bus but also in Danger Zone, the area immediately surrounding the vehicle during loading and unloading.

Sweeney said the agency focuses on crashes with the greatest potential to improve safety outcomes. With only about 35 staff members in its highway division, the NTSB investigates roughly 15 to 20 crashes annually out of tens of thousands reported nationwide.

“With a staff of 35 people… we have to be really selective in the crashes that we investigate,” she said, noting that cases often involve recurring safety issues or high public interest.

A key focus of recent investigations has been occupant protection, particularly the effectiveness of lap/shoulder seatbelts compared to traditional lap-only restraints or compartmentalization.

“We know and recognize that there are several other types of crashes,” Sweeney said, explaining that while compartmentalization works well in frontal impacts, it is less effective in rollovers, side impacts and other complex crash scenarios.

In multiple investigations, including crashes in Texas and New Jersey, the agency found lap-only belts provide limited protection. “They can provide a benefit… if they’re worn properly,” Sweeney said, but passengers remain “very vulnerable to injury from the flailing upper body.”

In the Leander ISD Texas rollover crash, that Director of Transportation Tracie Franco also presented during the conference, only six of 42 observed students were wearing seatbelts, and most were wearing them incorrectly. Students who were restrained were less likely to be thrown from their seats or ejected, though injuries still occurred due to the severity of the crash.

Based on such findings, the NTSB has repeatedly called on states to require lap/shoulder belts on large school buses and to strengthen enforcement of proper usage through driver training, onboard monitoring and clearer district policies.

Danger Zone Risks Examined

Beyond the bus interior, Sweeney emphasized that some of the most dangerous moments for students occur outside the vehicle.

One of the most dangerous areas for the student is the zone within about 10 feet of the bus, she said, particularly during pickup and drop-off times.

In a 2018 Indiana crash, a pickup truck traveling about 41 mph struck and killed four students crossing to board a stopped school bus despite warning lights and an extended stop-arm.

Other cases have highlighted the role of distracted driving. In Wisconsin, a teenage driver exchanging text messages struck a school bus and fatally hit a student moments later.

To address these risks, the NTSB has recommended stronger enforcement of stop-arm violations, expanded use of camera systems to catch illegal passing, and new vehicle technologies such as automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection systems.

“We asked school districts to work with law enforcement to create educational campaigns and high-visibility enforcement,” Sweeney said.

Despite the risks and ongoing challenges, Sweeney stressed that school buses remain the safest form of student transportation in the U.S.

“We advocate and tell people school buses are the safest way to transport a student,” she said.

Still, industry leaders at the session warned that driver shortages, operational challenges and declining ridership could increase risks if more families rely on personal vehicles instead of buses.

The Tennessee crash investigation is expected to produce a preliminary report in the coming months, with a final report, including safety recommendations, likely more than a year away.

Written with assistance from AI.

Related: California School Bus Report Shows Lap/Shoulder Seatbelts Reduce Injuries
Related: NTSB Calls for Seatbelt Polices, Procedures Following Texas School Bus Crash
Related: School Bus Seatbelt Law Appears Imminent in Illinois
Related: (STN Podcast E251) Making Safety Safer: Seatbelts, Technology, Training & Electric School Buses

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Conversations on a fatal Tennessee school bus crash that killed two girls last month, a new funding strategies playbook that includes transportation opportunities, and the National School Bus Inspection Training Program offered at STN EXPO East and STN EXPO West.

Keith Corso identified operational challenges while riding his high school bus, then went on to co-found technology provider BusRight. Now as CEO, he discusses tools to support student transporters and recent success at Poughkeepsie City School District in New York.

Read more about operations.

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The parents of an eighth-grade girl killed in the Tennessee school bus crash last month filed a $5-million wrongful death lawsuit alleging distraction and recklessness on the part of the driver and negligence and lack of oversight on the part of the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

Zoe Davis was 13 and a student at Kenwood Middle School when she died in the March 27 collision. Her classmate Arianna Peterson, 13, also died.

The lawsuit filed April 2 calls for a jury trial and seeks the maximum dollar amount allowed but not to exceed $5 million plus court costs.

Tennessee tort law generally caps the amount a school district can be held liable for at $700,000 for bodily injury or death of all persons in any one accident or $300,000 for any one person. School district employees are  immune from lawsuits including those involving negligent operation of motor vehicles, unless proven that the employee failed “to exercise or perform a discretionary function, whether or not the discretion is abused.”

The Davis family’s lawsuit names school bus driver Sabrina Ducksworth. The lawsuit claims she failed to follow her training and “acted with less than and/or failed to act with ordinary and reasonable care in the operation of the school bus.”

The filing also claims Ducksworth operated her school bus while fatigued or distracted and failed to exercise due care, obey traffic laws and keep in the proper lane.

Investigation Continues Amid Lawsuit

The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the National Transportation Safety Board continue to investigate. NTSB said on its website a preliminary report is expected by the end of this month. Duckworth reportedly remains hospitalized following several surgeries. School Transportation News learned Duckworth broke both of her legs and suffered internal injuries.

Ducksworth’s family told local reporters she may have suffered a stroke when the school bus veered across a double yellow line, into the oncoming lane and collided nearly head-on with a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck. A local news report also indicates a review of Duckworth’s personnel file shows a current prescription for blood pressure medication. She had driven for Clarksville-Montgomery County School System since July 2021.

The Davis family’s lawsuit also claims the school district did not perform an adequate pre-employment inquiry into Ducksworth’s fitness for employment as a school bus driver and that the hiring practices “fell below the applicable standard of care.” The lawsuit also alleges the school district failed to adequately train or supervise Ducksworth.

Related: First Responders Critical in School Bus Emergencies
Related: Tennessee School Bus Bursts Into Flames Moments After Children Evacuated
Related: Tennessee School Bus Driver Under Investigation After Leaving Children Unattended

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CONCORD, N.C. — A powerful and emotional session at STN EXPO East highlighted a reality transportation leaders hope to never face: A catastrophic school bus crash, the chaos that follows, and the need to have strong relationships with first responders.

The conference discussion between Tracie Franco, director of transportation for Leander Independent School District in Texas, and STN Editor-in-Chief Ryan Gray centered on real-world lessons from a recent rollover crash and broader strategies for working effectively with first responders. Joshua Hinerman, state director for Tennessee, was scheduled to be on the panel but canceled days earlier after a fatal school bus crash.

“This industry is so predicated on safety training,” Gray said. “But there are so many other forces on the road to contend with.”

Franco recounted Leander ISD’s first day of school crash in August that included 46 students aboard a bus that rolled over twice on a rural road. “When I got there … my heart just dropped,” she said. “You had students on the side of the road … people crying … my driver had blood coming out of his head. It was just chaos.”

Actionable Takeaways for School Districts

 

The First Responder Coordination Session at STN EXPO East March 29 delivered several practical strategies for transportation leaders:

 

1. Build relationships with first responders now.

Tracie Franco, director of transportation for Leander ISD in Texas, admitted her department had limited prior coordination with local agencies when a school bus crash occurred in August. “We had really not had any training with the firemen, with EMS, with police,” she said.

Post-crash, the district strengthened partnerships, including donating a retired school bus for emergency training.

 

2. Train together using realistic simulations.

Hands-on exercises — including smoke-filled buses and timed evacuations — help staff build muscle memory. “You go from panic to action,” Franco explained.

 

3. Establish clear command structure and communication.

Confusion over who is in charge can slow response efforts. “Have a plan … who’s in charge of the scene, who’s in charge of the students,” Franco advised.

 

4. Prepare for student accountability challenges.

Tracking students during transport to hospitals proved difficult. “I didn’t know where the students were going,” Franco said, noting the need for better systems to identify and track students during emergencies.

 

5. Create a “ready bag” for emergencies.

Leander ISD now deploys a kit with essential tools, including student rosters and ID access, power banks, portable printers and communication devices.

 

6. Plan for reunification and parent communication.

Parents will arrive quickly on-scene, often before systems are in place. “How do they know where to meet? Where reunification happens?” Franco asked.

 

7. Address emotional and mental health readiness.

Preparation isn’t just operational — it’s psychological.

“Be prepared emotionally,” Franco said. “You’re going to see chaos … hurt students.”

She added that post-incident support is critical for both students and staff.

 

8. Reinforce seatbelt usage and safety culture.

Only three students on the bus were wearing lap/shoulder seatbelts that are mandated by state law. “They didn’t move,” Franco said of the restrained students during the rollover. The district now enforces a “no seatbelt, no roll” policy and requires parent acknowledgment.

Seven students were transported to hospitals, some via helicopter. Miraculously, there were no fatalities, Franco said, emphasizing that despite years of preparation, the reality of a major crash exposed gaps.

“No matter how much you prepare … we realized we needed to step it up,” she said. “We needed to really train on different areas.”

One of the biggest challenges at the scene was confusion over roles and communication. “You have EMS, fire, police … who’s in charge?” Franco said. “I don’t know who these students are … I don’t know where they’re going.”

Related: NTSB Calls for Seatbelt Polices, Procedures Following Texas School Bus Crash
Related: Texas School District Updates Seatbelt Policy Following School Bus Rollover
Related: Texas Student Transporter Utilizes Technology to Improve Operations

First responders immediately took control, conducting triage and transporting injured students, often without time to coordinate with school officials, she recalled. The experience reinforced a key lesson: Relationships and protocols must be established before an emergency.

She noted the importance of FEMA officials and first responders already being stationed nearby following the deadly Guadalupe River flooding that took place on July 4 in immediately directing resources to the school bus crash.

Franco repeatedly warned against assuming “it won’t happen here.”

“Don’t be complacent,” Gray added, referencing recent fatal crashes nationally.

Meanwhile, Franco closed out the session with a reminder about mindset in crisis situations. “We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them,” she said.

The session reinforced that while crashes may be rare, preparedness must be constant and collaborative. From coordinated training with first responders to clear communication plans and emotional readiness, transportation leaders were urged to rethink how they prepare for the unthinkable.

As Franco summarized: “Have a plan … and just train, train, train.”

Article written with assistance of AI.

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A Clarksville-Montgomery County School System school bus traveling on a field trip crashed, resulting in at least two student fatalities.

STN received initial information about the Tennessee crash Friday, but details were limited at this report. Law enforcement officers are on scene in Carroll County, where the crash took place around noon Eastern Time.

“First and foremost, our hearts are with the families impacted by this devastating loss,” the Tennessee Highway Patrol released in a statement. A photo of the final resting position of the bus shows it at a steep angle, off the roadway.

Twenty-four students and five adults were on board the school bus at the time. Individuals were transported to the hospital, some via life-flight, while others were taken by ambulance. Two students were pronounced dead at the scene.

While the Tennessee Highway Patrol has not officially released the names of the students, online fundraisers and local media outlets identified the students as two eighth-grade girls: Zoe Davis and Arianna Pearson.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol stated via a press conference that in a preliminary crash investigation, the school bus collided with a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck and a passenger vehicle. Video of the crash shows the bus crossing the center line, veering into the other lane of traffic.

Lap/shoulder seatbelts are believed not to have been installed on the school bus. Additional information on the nature of the crash remained unknown at this time.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System posted on its website that the community is “grieving the tragic loss of two young lives. Please continue to keep these families in your heart,” the statement reads. “We continue to pray for the students and employees injured and everyone who was affected by today’s accident. The Kenwood Middle community will need our continued support, and we will share opportunities to assist families as details are confirmed.”

Officials noted that counselors will be available to support anyone in our school community and across the district who may need someone to talk to in the days ahead and for as long as needed.

“From the bottom of our hearts, we thank the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Carroll County School District, First Baptist Church of Huntingdon, TN, and the numerous other law enforcement, emergency medical, and community organizations and volunteers from across the state who have provided tremendous support during this tragedy,” the statement continued.

The article was updated to indicate the crash did not take place during Spring Break. It will continue to be updated as more information is available. 

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Two boys, 12 and 15 years old, were taken into custody after allegedly stealing a school bus in New York and crashing into a residential home early on Feb. 26, reported CBS 6.

According to the news report, the school bus theft originated at the Amazing Grace Transportation lot at approximately 6 a.m. on Feb. 27. The bus was then driven to a nearby home, where it crashed.

Despite some property damage, emergency responders confirmed that no residents inside the home were injured. Residents in the neighborhood reported hearing the crash and expressed relief that no one was hurt, though many were shaken by the early morning disruption.

Investigators said the two juveniles fled the scene on foot after the crash but were located nearby and detained by police officers.

Both boys face charges that include criminal possession of stolen property and criminal mischief, authorities said. Because of their ages, the case will likely progress through family court proceedings rather than the adult criminal justice system.

Officials have not released additional details regarding the motive behind the school bus theft or whether the suspects have legal representation. The investigation remains active as law enforcement continues to piece together how juveniles accessed the bus managed to drive it off the transportation company lot.

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Police arrested and charged a candidate for the Johnston County Board of Commissioners in connection with a hit-and-run crash involving a school bus in Four Oaks, North Carolina, reported WRAL News.

Chad Stewart allegedly failed to slow down and crashed into the back of a stopped school bus last Thursday. Authorities charged Stewart with failure to stop for a stopped school bus, hit-and-run resulting in property damage, and failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision. He was arrested Friday.

Seven students from Johnston County Early College and Johnston County Career and Technical Leadership Academy school bus passengers at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported.

Stewart is running for the District 3 seat on the Johnston County Board of Commissioners in the upcoming Republican primary. He previously served on the board from 2013 to 2021, including terms as chairman and vice chairman.

A judge issued Stewart a $20,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 10.

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A veteran school bus driver is being hailed as a hero after her quick thinking helped keep dozens of students safe during a crash that took place on the way to a basketball game.

Linda Christophersen, 75, affectionately known as “Miss Linda” to students at Vernonia High School, was driving the boys and girls basketball teams to a game at Nestucca High School Feb. 13. An oncoming vehicle crossed the center line and struck the bus on Highway 101, about five miles from the teams’ destination.

Christophersen’s daughter Tonya Langley told local news reporters that her mom saw the vehicle edging into her lane and reacted immediately.

“She could see the vehicle coming at her was crowding the center line, so she started crowding the fog line as much as she could,” Langley recounted. “She yelled, ‘Hold on,’ and then when it hit, the bus tried to go to the left and then immediately went to the right into the bank. She did everything she could to try to hold it.”

Despite the impact, Christophersen brought the school bus to a controlled stop. Langley said her mother’s first concern was not her own injuries, but the students on board.

“She goes, ‘I’m fine but it’s not about me.’ She immediately [turned her attention] to the kids. It was all about the kids and how the kids were,” Langley said.

In a statement to families, Jim Helmen, superintendent of the Vernonia School District, confirmed that the student-athletes, coaches and the Christopherson were safe following the school bus crash.

One student experienced a seizure during the school bus crash and was transported to Tillamook Hospital for evaluation. Another student sustained an injury but did not require hospital transport. Emergency responders evaluated Christopherson and all her passengers at the scene.

Helmen also praised Christophersen’s actions.

“I would like to recognize our bus driver, Linda, for her professionalism and composure in responding to a very difficult situation. Her training and steady response helped maintain stability and student safety during the incident,” he wrote.

The superintendent thanked first responders, including the Oregon State Police, who responded to the scene and took statements.

Helmen also expressed gratitude to the Nestucca School District for assisting students and staff after the crash. Nestucca administrators worked with law enforcement to help transport Vernonia students from the scene to Nestucca High School, where parents provided food and counseling support for students who were understandably shaken. The school also opened its library as a quiet space for students and staff.

“It was shared with me by Nestucca administration that our students were very respectful, thankful and represented the Vernonia community extremely well,” Helmen wrote. “That is something we can all be proud of.”

The superintendent further thanked Girls and Boys Basketball coaches David Weller and Ken Ellis, Athletic Director Justin Ward, and Principal Nate Underwood for their leadership during the incident, as well as Shelley H. and Rob Curl of Curls Transportation Co. for their quick response in dispatching another bus.

Friday evening’s basketball games were canceled.

Heroic Driver Eager to Get Back Behind the Wheel

A few days after the school bus crash, Christophersen was sore but recovering well. She declined an interview request, but her daughter said the recognition is well-deserved.

“My mom has never known her own worth, and she’s never put herself out there,” Langley said via local news reports. “It just made me very, very proud.”

Christophersen began driving a school bus after her husband passed away because she wanted to stay active and involved in the community. Her experience behind the wheel stretches back decades — from driving dump trucks for the family business to navigating rugged logging roads long before it was common to see women in the industry.

Today, she’s known for decorating her bus, bringing treats for students and even chaperoning prom. And despite the frightening crash, Langley said her mother is eager to return to work.

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Before a school bus incident even happens, it’s important for student transportation professionals to be aware of federal safety recommendations and crash investigation procedures. Meg Sweeney from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be at STN EXPO East to give attendees the latest updates.

Her session “NTSB Investigations & Recommendations: Lap/Shoulder Seat Belts to the School Bus Danger Zone” on March 31 wraps up the conference by outlining various facets of school bus crash investigations. She will discuss occupant protection, which will include NTSB recommendations on lap/shoulder seatbelts and their safety impact during crashes, and shed light on “Danger Zone” crashes, including incidents where vehicles struck stopped school buses or hit a pedestrian.

Sweeney will provide attendees with background on the NTSB and its mission to further safety for students and transportation staff. Attendees will also learn about how NTSB conducts investigations and what school districts can expect when NTSB investigators arrive on scene of a school bus crash.

She will also provide insights into NTSB school bus investigations of high-profile crashes and incidents, including one in Maine that killed a 5-year-old boy, who was dragged 280 feet after the school bus loading doors closed on his arm while he attempted to board. Sweeney also worked on the development of recently released urgent recommendations related to an August crash in Leander, Texas and the use of lap/shoulder seatbelts to prevent student injuries and fatalities.

Sweeney is an accident investigator and project manager in the NTSB’s Office of Highway Safety. She has also worked in the NTSB Safety Studies Division, where she studied child restraint safety, multi-passenger van safety and operator fatigue, as well as at the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

STN EXPO East will be held March 26-31 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & Spa in Concord, North Carolina. Over the five-day conference, attendees will have access to the best in student transportation training, including hands-on training and events, educational sessions, product demonstration labs, green energy panel discussions, an inspirational keynote address, the STN EXPO Trade Show, the Ride and Drive at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and more. Register now at stnexpo.com/east.  

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What should a school transportation department expect in the wake of a serious or fatal school bus crash? In Tennessee, a painstakingly thorough post-crash investigation process begins by reviewing the bus driver’s training and the bus maintenance records, three of the state’s highway patrol troopers said.

In the immediate aftermath of a school bus crash, school staff should expect authorities to follow specific protocol, beginning with ensuring that everyone who’s injured receives the care they need. Next, they will take steps to preserve the crash scene, properly document physical evidence, take photos, and collect witness statements.

“That includes making sure that nothing’s being taken out before it’s documented and that everything that can be done at the scene is done before anyone starts moving stuff or letting people go,” said Sgt. Jena Eubanks of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “We may put down paint where a vehicle comes to rest just so we can come out later and measure the scene if need be.”

Lt. Raymond Gaskill said the first steps when investigating a serious or fatal school bus crash include securing the bus driver’s information to determine the commercial driver’s license and training record.

“We’re going to verify that the bus has been inspected and that it was supposed to be operational,” Gaskill said. “Even if the crash is not investigated by the highway patrol, transportation directors know that our team of inspectors have to look at that bus before they put kids back on it.”

If an incident occurred while students were loading or unloading, authorities “want to make sure the eight-way lighting was on and the stop sign was out at the time of the crash so it can be documented,” Gaskill said. “Ninety percent of Tennessee buses have cameras nowadays, so we’ll make sure to get with those transportation directors and look at that video.”

Eubanks said post-crash inspections follow two paths.

“There’s what we do on the people side, and we’ll inspect the bus to see what damage, if there is any damage, occurred as a result of the crash,” she said. “The post-crash inspection is conducted by certified personnel … and it’s a very thorough investigation where we’re breaking down that vehicle mere seconds before the crash and building it back up to see, ‘Was there something wrong with the vehicle at the time that was a causing a factor in the crash?’ Those can take a week or a couple days or weeks more, depending on what we’re dealing with.”

Gaskill said the “people side” probe includes a look back at least 24 hours into the driver’s activities.

“Were they sick? Did they stay up all night? Did they get enough rest? What were they doing? You know, those types of things would all play a factor into the crashes,” he explained.

Authorities will also review on-board technology during a crash event reconstruction with the recognition that systems may not be calibrated or accurate.

“We may use the GPS, but we’d have to look at other factors. My calculations as a reconstructionist tell me their minimum speed was this. The GPS says they were going that fast. That would help your case, but we don’t just take GPS at its word,” Gaskill said.

Distraction the Most Prevalent Cause of Crashes

The most common factors in minor and serious school bus crashes involve hitting mirrors on other vehicles due to being too close to the center line and tail swing when the rear of a bus crosses the center line, according to Gaskill. But, he added, “You would be amazed at how many people rear end a school bus, and you can’t train for that.”

Eubanks said most crashes she sees are caused by “some type of distraction.”

“Whether it’s on the driver of the bus or the driver of the other vehicle because most crashes can be prevented, but I would say most of them are distractions,” Eubanks said.

Capt. Allen England said Gaskill’s and Eubanks’ observations can be covered under one umbrella: Human error.

“Whether it’s distraction or tail swing or something else, that’s human error in the operation of the vehicle. Whether it be loading or unloading children or a child getting caught in a door and dragged, it’s the people factor, human error,” he said. “Rarely do we ever see, maybe two out of 100 times, a mechanical defect that may have contributed to a crash. But that’s human error, too.”

The best crashes, though, are the ones that never happen, thanks to foresight and preparation. The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s focus on preventing crashes begins by inspecting 147 school districts’ roughly 9,800 buses.

“We inspect every school bus in the state at least once per year, some twice or more per year. We train every driver at least one time per year, maybe more. We notify transportation directors of downgrades or anything that alters that driver’s license that they need to know about or they may need to take a driver out of a school bus,” England said. “We have a very robust program, and we have committed individuals to the program to help kids safe.”

The four hours of mandated driver training address common safety issues, Gaskill said. “We look at the crashes that come in across the state throughout the year, and that’s what we train next year,” he added. “If we have a lot of tail swing incidents, we make sure to put in training about tail swing. … Student management is always a big one.”

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As long as transportation departments are performing proper bus maintenance and conducting effective training, England said, his best advice for fleet managers to prevent accidents is “first and foremost, know your driver.

“The driver is typically the largest factor in the crash. So, they need to understand the driver and what’s going on with them. If the driver is going through something horrendous in his personal life, is that going to affect his ability to safely operate that bus?” he continued. “Know your driver and engage with those drivers as frequently as you can.”

Eubanks agreed. In addition to extending England’s advice to the shop foreperson and mechanics, she encouraged fleet managers to conduct video reviews of bus drivers and follow up on complaints about erratic or unsafe driving.

“Also make sure your drivers are doing what they’re supposed to do regarding pre-trips and post-trips. Pre-trip and post-trip (inspections) are required by federal mandate and by our state regulations,” Eubanks said. “Make sure that driver is taking that time in the morning and in the afternoon to walk around their bus make sure everything’s good to go on it, and notating anything that’s wrong and ensuring that that bus is getting fixed properly.”

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The February edition of STN magazine is out, where we continue discussions on the oversight of autonomous vehicles and alternative student transportation. Plus, sign up for school bus inspection training and many more learning opportunities at STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina, this March.

In the aftermath of a high-profile school bus rollover last August at Leander Independent School District in Central Texas, Director of Transportation Tracie Franco talks lessons learned in emergency response, lap-shoulder seatbelt enforcement, first responder collaboration and staff training.

Read more about crashes.

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A 5-year-old boy was killed Thursday morning after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York, reported CBS News.

According to the news report, the crash happened around 8:35 a.m. in the Village of New Square. Police said preliminary evidence indicates the school bus struck the child and then run over him.

The boywas rushed to Westchester County Medical Center, where officials said they were pronounced dead at approximately 12:15 p.m. The child’s name has not been released.

Investigators said the school bus driver did not initially realize the child had been struck and continued driving until being flagged down, at which point the driver returned to the scene.

The Ramapo Police Crash Investigation Unit responded and is reportedly conducting an extensive investigation, which involves coordination with partner agencies, interviews, scene measurements, data analysis, and vehicle inspections.

Police told local news reporters that the bus company is cooperating with the investigation, and the vehicle will be inspected by the New York State Department of Transportation.

No charges or additional details have been announced as the investigation remains ongoing.

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