Two people are dead and at least 18 students are injured following a violent collision involving a tractor-trailer and a Mount Pleasant ISD school bus.
According to KETK-TV, the crash occurred around 10:30 pm Thursday night on Highway 271 about a mile south of Talco. Preliminary reports indicate a tractor-trailer that was traveling northbound on Highway 271 drifted into the southbound lane, colliding with a school bus and a car that was following the bus.
The driver of the 18-wheeler and the driver of the car, identified as Mount Pleasant High School assistant girls track coach Angelica Beard, 30, were pronounced dead at the scene. About 20 others were transported to area hospitals.
The driver of the school bus and another coach were both listed in critical condition. Four school bus passengers sustained serious injuries while the remaining injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The crash remains under investigation.