Distracted Driver Flips School Bus in Botetourt County, VA, Injuring 13 Students | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

After a school bus driver transporting 39 James River High School and Central Academy Middle School lost control of her vehicle on Zion Hill Road in Botetourt County, Virginia (VA), the bus rolled over. Thirteen of the children required hospital treatment for injuries described as potentially serious but not life-threatening.

The scene of the accident is a narrow two-lane rural state highway without lane markings or a divider. According to television station WTVR, the bus driver was watching students in the rearview mirror when she wrecked. Police charged the woman with reckless driving.

 


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The accident illustrates two serious risks for everyone on the road, and for school children riding buses in particular. First, anytime a driver becomes distracted, the risk for crashing increases significantly.

Second, whenever a vehicle rolls over, people inside are almost guaranteed to suffer injuries. Cars, trucks, SUVs and buses simply aren’t designed to protect occupants when they flip. And because school buses do not have seat belts, students have no way to stay in their seats during a rollover accident. We can only hope none of the young victims of this crash suffered head or brain injuries like concussions.

 

EJL