LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) – A Rockingham County school bus was involved in a vehicle crash Thursday morning in Louisa County, according to officials from both counties.
The crash happened on Route 33/Jefferson Highway near Jouett Elementary School in Louisa County at 10:51 a.m., according to VSP. A Rockingham County Public Schools bus carrying 40 passengers was sideswiped by a Subaru sedan that was traveling east on the highway.
The Subaru driver told investigators he was distracted while trying to change songs on his phone, VSP said, when the car crossed the double solid lines into the westbound lane and hit the front driver’s side of the bus. Both vehicles lost control, VSP added. The bus veered off the right side of the road, down an embankment and into the trees, while the Subaru spun twice and hit a guardrail, VSP said. The car’s airbags deployed.
The Subaru driver sustained serious injuries, VSP said, and was transported to UVA Hospital for treatment. The bus driver, a chaperone and at least two students were also taken to UVA Hospital with possible injuries, according to VSP’s release.
Louisa County had stated Thursday afternoon on Facebook that five students and three adults were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while RCPS Superintendent Larry Shifflett said there were “no known significant injuries” among the bus passengers.
The remaining students were evaluated by Louisa County Fire & EMS at Jouett Elementary, Louisa County’s release said.
VSP did not disclose the identity of the driver but did state he was cited for failure to obey lane markings.
In an email to Elkton Middle School and Wilbur S. Pence Middle School families, Shifflett said the students were traveling to Louisa County for a field trip to the Virginia State Fair. RCPS personnel and principals were present and providing support on site, working with first responders, Shifflett added.
“We want to sincerely thank all individuals—from the chaperones, to staff members, to the first responders—for their quick and professional actions in ensuring the safety of our students,” Shifflett said in the email.
This is a developing story. WHSV will provide updates on air and online as we learn more.
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