19 Injured After School Bus Crashes Into Home
Bus accidents are not as common as car crashes, and they do not usually collide into houses. However, a school bus in South Carolina recently did.
A school bus accident in Orangeburg County on the morning of August 18 injured 19 people. The driver and 18 students were taken to the hospital after the bus crashed into a mobile home.
The bus was heading west on Shillings Bridge Road. It attempted to make a left onto Mill Branch Road when it ran off the road to the left and hit the house.
The Orangeburg County School District stated that 42 students from Clark Middle School and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School were on the bus. Everyone involved in the crash was evaluated for injuries. The 19 injured people were taken to MUSC Health Orangeburg. All have since been released to their parents or guardians. The other students on the bus were evaluated by the school nurse.
One of the witnesses, a high school sophomore, was waiting for the bus when he saw it crash. He said that the bus driver’s driving had given him cause for concern in the past. Seeing the collision definitely affected him, and he said “I’m going to be paranoid that’s for sure.”
It is unknown what caused the driver to collide with the mobile home. Fortunately, the home was empty at the time of the crash so nobody inside was injured.
The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The bus driver has been placed on administrative leave as law enforcement officials and the school district investigate what happened.
Orangeburg County School District stated that it has followed all safety protocols and procedures in regards to the accident. It will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.
Why Would a School Bus Crash Into a House?
A school bus can crash into a house for many of the same reasons other vehicles leave the roadway. Common causes include:
- Driver medical emergency: A driver who suffers a medical event like a heart attack, stroke, seizure, or loss of consciousness may be unable to control the bus.
- Mechanical failure: Problems involving the brakes, steering, tires, accelerator, or other critical systems can make it difficult or impossible to keep the bus under control.
- Driver error: Distracted driving, misjudging a turn, accidentally pressing the accelerator, or making an improper maneuver can cause a bus to leave the road.
- Loss of control: Wet, icy, or otherwise hazardous road conditions can cause a bus to skid or slide.
- Speed: Traveling too fast can make a large vehicle harder to stop or control.
- Impaired or fatigued driving: Alcohol, drugs, medication, or extreme fatigue can affect reaction time and judgment.
Contact Us Today
School bus accidents are not common but when they do occur, they can cause many people to be injured. They can also cause property damage.
A Columbia bus accident lawyer from Simmons Law Firm can help you deal with the complexity of these cases. Government laws and short deadlines may apply. Let us guide you through the process. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (803) 779-4600.
Source:
abcnews4.com/newsletter-daily/2026-08-18-18-students-driver-taken-to-hospital-after-school-bus-crashes-into-orangeburg-county-home
