Man Dies and 10 Children Bedridden As Truck Batter School Bus
A crash involving a school bus and a truck led to the death of the truck’s driver and the hospitalization of 10 children in Hernando County on Wednesday.
Details of the Horrific Crash
According to the WFLA, the truck driver, 69-year-old Michael James Scott, had hit the school bus while driving north along the U.S. Highway 19. The crash happened at the intersection of Bourassa Boulevard as the school bus was driving to Winding Waters K-8. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the school bus stopped at a crosswalk a pedestrian when Scott’s truck hit the rear of the bus.
There were 48 children on the bus when the accident occurred, 10 of whom were taken to local hospitals for the treatment. Fortunately, none of their injuries were considered life-threatening.
School district spokeswoman, Karen Jordan, extended well wishes to the family of the deceased truck driver. She also confirmed the school bus was equipped with seatbelts.
The crash remains under investigation. The reason why Scott didn’t see the oncoming bus.
School Bus Accident Statistics
On average, 30 school-age children are killed each year in school-transportation-related crashes — most of them outside of the bus or in other vehicles — according to newly updated federal data.
According to NHTSA, from 2006 to 2015, there were 324,710 fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Of those, 1,172 (0.4%) were classified as being related to school transportation.
Even within the school-transportation-related fatalities, less than a quarter of those killed are children. In the 2006 to 2015 time span, NHTSA’s data show that 1,313 people of all ages were killed in crashes related to school transportation, with 301 of them (23%) being school-age children (age 18 or younger).
The report also shows that most of the child fatalities take place outside of school buses or in other vehicles. Of the 301 school-age children killed in school-transportation-related crashes from 2006 to 2015:
- 54 (18%) were occupants of school transportation vehicles
- 137 (46%) were occupants of other vehicles
- 102 (34%) were pedestrians
- Eight (3%) were cyclists
According to NHTSA’s data, of the school-age pedestrians killed in school-transportation-related crashes from 2006 to 2015:
- 61% were struck by school buses.
- 3% were struck by vehicles functioning as school buses.
- 36% were struck by other vehicles involved in the crashes.
NHTSA defines a school-transportation-related crash as one that involves, either directly or indirectly, a school bus body vehicle or a non-school bus functioning as a school bus, transporting children to or from school or school-related activities.
Contact an Experienced Bus Accident Attorney
If you or your child have been injured in a bus accident, contact Thomas J. Henry. Our team of experienced bus accident attorneys are available to evaluate your claim 24/7, nights and weekends. Thomas J. Henry has the financial resources and the track record of winning that you need in a law firm. Contact us today for a free case review. Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Austin, serving clients across Texas and nationwide.
