WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Monday morning journey to Winter Haven High School ended in a fatal crash when a car crossed the center line and struck a school bus, setting off a collision that left the bus upside down and a Jeep on fire.
Two people died in the October 5 crash: a 10th-grade girl aboard the bus and a person inside the Jeep. Several others were injured, with one patient in critical condition during the morning update, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
The bus carried 39 people — 37 high school students, its driver and the driver’s 9-year-old daughter. The crash happened shortly after 6 a.m. on Lucerne Park Road, roughly a mile and a half from U.S. Highway 27.
“It was a terrible, tragic morning. We had a beautiful 10th grade girl lose her life,” Judd said.
Car struck the bus near its rear wheels
Judd’s preliminary account, detailed by WKMG News 6, said the bus was heading east when a westbound white Chevrolet Malibu crossed into its lane and hit its rear wheels.
The impact tore off a tire. The bus then crossed into the opposite lane and collided head-on with a silver Jeep, which caught fire. The bus overturned onto its roof. At least one additional vehicle was involved.
Judd said an initial review of video showed the bus had been travelling in its correct lane before the first impact. Investigators had not established why the Malibu crossed the center line.
Between five and seven people were transported as trauma alerts. Emergency crews spent the morning treating patients, confirming their identities and helping reunite students with parents.
Families notified as crash investigation continues
Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Fred Heid said all affected families had been contacted and district staff were sent to hospitals to assist them, according to coverage of the officials’ news conference.
Heid credited students’ regular bus evacuation drills with helping limit further injuries. More than 100 emergency personnel responded to the scene.
FOX’s morning report said the Malibu driver was cooperating and had not been arrested. The student’s name had not been publicly released.
Lucerne Park Road was closed in both directions between Old Lucerne Park Road and the Walmart Distribution Center during the emergency response. Motorists were urged to use alternative routes.
The collision follows other fatal school transport incidents this year, including a New Hampshire school bus crash that killed a pickup driver.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating. Officials expected to provide another briefing on Tuesday, October 6.
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