From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Two people were killed and multiple others injured Monday morning in a crash involving a school bus in Winter Haven. Investigators said a Chevrolet Malibu crossed the center line and struck the bus, which then collided head-on with a Jeep and overturned. A 10th-grade student aboard the bus and the Jeep driver were killed.
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Two people, including a high school student, were killed and multiple others injured Monday morning after a school bus carrying students overturned during a multi-vehicle crash in Polk County.
The crash occurred at approximately 6:15 am on Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven. The bus was carrying 37 Winter Haven High School students, the bus driver and the driver's 9-year-old daughter, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
A 10th-grade girl aboard the bus was killed. The driver of a Jeep involved in the collision also died.
Authorities said a preliminary review of crash video shows the school bus was traveling in its lane when a westbound white Chevrolet Malibu traveling in the opposite direction crossed the center line for an unknown reason.
The Malibu struck the school bus near its rear wheels. The impact pushed the bus into the opposite lane, where it collided head-on with a silver Jeep before overturning into a ditch. The Jeep caught fire following the collision.
Another vehicle was also involved, bringing the total to four vehicles.
Multiple people were transported to hospitals, with authorities reporting between five and seven trauma alerts. At least one person was initially listed in critical condition.
Three students aboard the bus were airlifted to hospitals. Another 22 students were transported to a hospital aboard a second bus, while four were taken by their families. Seven students, along with the bus driver and the driver's daughter, were transported by ambulance.
Most of those treated for injuries had been released from the hospital by Monday afternoon, according to authorities.
Students aboard the bus used their cellphones following the crash to contact their families as emergency personnel worked to identify those involved and reunite students with their parents.
Polk County Public Schools officials said students regularly participate in emergency drills designed to prepare them to evacuate a school bus following a crash or other emergency.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the crash. Authorities had not determined Monday why the Malibu crossed the center line.
Authorities expect to release additional information about the crash as the investigation continues.
Key Points:
- The crash occurred at approximately 6:15 am. Monday on Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven.
- The school bus carried 37 Winter Haven High School students, its driver and the driver's 9-year-old daughter.
- A 10th-grade student aboard the bus and the driver of a Jeep were killed.
- Investigators said a Chevrolet Malibu crossed the center line and struck the bus near its rear wheels.
- Multiple people were hospitalized, including three students who were airlifted from the scene.
Editor's Note: The information remains preliminary as investigators work to determine why the Malibu crossed the center line.
