Bus Driver Charged
Driver Faces Charges as School Bus Overturns, Injuring Football Team Members
A school bus carrying a high school football team overturned on an exit ramp from U.S. 17, injuring four people — including two students and two adults. The driver has since been charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and exceeding a safe speed, according to WBTV.
The bus went over while trying to negotiate a curve on the ramp to westbound lanes. Authorities say the driver was going too fast to safely make the turn. WLBT reported that four people were hurt in total, though none of the injuries were described as life-threatening.
Bus Flips on Exit Ramp During Team Trip
The crash happened as the bus attempted to take a curve on an exit ramp off U.S. 17. The vehicle overturned, sending passengers inside the bus tumbling. The team was traveling for a football-related trip at the time, WTOK reported.
Four people were injured in the crash — two students and two adults. Emergency crews responded to the scene. The exact severity of the injuries has not been fully detailed, but no fatalities were reported, according to Atlanta News First.
Driver Faces Reckless Driving and Speed Charges
After the investigation, the bus driver was charged with two misdemeanor offenses: reckless driving and exceeding a safe speed. Both charges relate directly to how the driver handled the bus on the ramp, KGNS reported.
Misdemeanor charges are less serious than felony charges. They typically carry lighter penalties, such as fines or short jail time. It is not yet clear whether the driver will face any additional charges as the investigation continues, according to MySuncoast.
Students and Coaches Among Those Hurt
The injured included at least two student athletes and two adults who were on board the bus. It is not clear if the adults were coaches, chaperones, or other staff, WBNG reported. The students' ages have not been released.
School officials have not yet made a public statement about the crash. Local authorities are continuing to look into the cause of the accident. The football program has not commented on how the incident may affect the team's season, according to 1011 Now.
What We Know — and Still Don't — About the Crash
Key details remain unclear, including the name of the school, the driver's identity, and exactly where on U.S. 17 the ramp was located. Multiple outlets, including Alaska's News Source and KCRG, published the same core facts but did not add further specifics.
Investigators have not said whether any safety equipment on the bus failed. No word has come on whether the students were wearing seatbelts, which many school buses do not require. The case is ongoing, 21Alive News reported.
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