A school bus crash in Lancaster, CA resulted in minor injuries to seven special education students and critical injuries to one student.
The injured kids attend Eastside High School in the Antelope Valley Union High School District. They were passengers on a school bus traveling eastbound on East Lancaster Boulevard and headed to school in the morning. Two teacher’s aides were also passengers on the bus.
As the bus passed through the intersection of East Lancaster Boulevard and 20th Street East at approximately 7:15 a.m., it crashed into a Cadillac sedan. (Police investigators later said that the bus T-boned the other vehicle at the intersection.) The force of impact caused the bus to leave the roadway, roll over, and slam into a utility pole.
Other motorists on the road saw the violent collision and dialed 911 to alert local law enforcement. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers, Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters, and emergency medical crews subsequently rushed to the scene to help the accident victims.
Fortunately, the three adults on the school bus, including the two advisors and the bus driver, were not hurt as a result of the accident. Despite declining medical attention at the scene, the adults were transported to an area hospital so that they could receive medical evaluations.
All eight students on board the school bus were injured in the accident, with one of the students suffering critical injuries. Additionally, the driver of the motor vehicle involved in the accident sustained critical injuries. All of the accident victims were taken via ambulances to a local medical facility.
David Vierra, the superintendent of the Antelope Valley Union High School District, made a statement about the accident and said that school officials were coordinating with mental health counselors to provide services to students, staff, and family members who needed support in the aftermath of the school bus accident.
School Bus Safety Can Save Lives
The CHP is actively investigating the bus accident and attempting to determine exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. According to media reports, the school bus driver told police investigators that the Cadillac involved in the accident ran a red light at the intersection.
This accident highlights the importance of teaching your kids about school bus safety. According to CHP officials, all of the students on board the bus were wearing their seat belts. This may very well have saved their lives.
It’s a good idea for you to talk to your children about the things they can do to protect themselves while riding the bus. Remind them that they should always wear their seat belts, remain seated while the bus is in motion, and avoid making loud noises that might distract the bus driver.
If your child was injured in a bus accident in California, you should talk to a qualified personal injury attorney immediately. At The Paris Firm, we can help. Contact The Paris Firm now to schedule a free initial consultation.