A tragic vehicular collision involving a school bus in Ohio resulted in the death of a young student and injuries to over 20 others on the first day of school. The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Trooper Tyler Ross reported that the bus, carrying a driver and 52 students from Northwestern Local Schools, was struck by a minivan around 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday in the unincorporated area of Lawrenceville.
The school bus driver attempted to evade the oncoming minivan but was unable to prevent the collision. The impact was so severe that one student was thrown from the bus and was pronounced dead at the scene, Ross reported.
In total, 23 injuries were reported from the incident, with one being classified as serious. The remaining injuries were deemed non-life-threatening. Some of the injured students were rushed to the hospital by ambulance, while others were taken by their parents.
Northwestern Local Schools confirmed the tragic loss of one of their elementary students in a statement. The school district announced that classes would be suspended the following day.
The statement further read, “The bus accident this morning claimed the life of one of our elementary students. We will have grief counselors available for anyone who needs additional support during this tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families that have been impacted by this tragedy.”
Footage from WCMH-TV showed the school bus lying on its side in a grassy area off Route 41. The driver of the 2010 Honda Odyssey minivan involved in the accident was later identified as 35-year-old Hermanio Joseph of Springfield. A 37-year-old passenger was also in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Most of the students who were treated at hospitals have since been discharged.