School Bus Caught In Crossfire

In Charlotte, North Carolina, a school bus ferrying 19 children to school was caught in the middle of a gunfight when two men at a gas station opened fire at each-other. A bullet shattered a window and cut the driver with broken glass, but thankfully none of the kids were injured. (USA Today, 10-7-2017, 4A)

Cases of Reckless Driving on School Buses

• In Shelton, Connecticut, police stopped a Shelton school bus driver on December 16th,who motorists say was swerving on the road. Authorities say the driver repeatedly dozed off while carrying a bus full of students. (USA Today, 1-3-2017, pg 4A)

School Buses Catching on Fire

A surprising number of the school bus incidents we cover involve school buses inexplicably bursting into flames. Here are some examples:

• In Alcoa, Tennessee, a school bus driver heard a pop while driving down the highway. Noticing smoke, he managed to pull over shortly before the school bus burst into flames. Twenty nine children were evacuated from the bus. Thankfully, neither the driver or any students were injured. (USA Today, 1-16-2017, pg. 6B)
• In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a tour bus that was carrying middle school students from Kentucky caught fire while driving down Interstate 70. (April 23, 2015)
• In 2008, students on a North Carolina school bus endured a scary experience when the school bus they were in suddenly burst into flames. Thankfully, all the kids inside were able to get out safely. (Fox News, 4-15-2008)
• In a separate incident in California, a school bus that was ferrying 8- and 9-year-olds to a field trip at the California Science Center stalled on U.S. Highway 101 and then erupted in flames. Motorists jumped from vehicles to open doors and help the 23 third graders from Flory Academy in Moor Park escape safely. Two children complained of minor smoke inhalation, according to Fire dept. spokesman Eri Scott, but they were otherwise okay. (USA Today, 5-20-2008, p. 3A)

Who Investigates School Bus Crashes?

About 65% of school buses are owned by school districts, so they fall under state control. Accidents are investigated by local police.¹