Following a late-night collision involving two Austin Independent School District buses, authorities have confirmed that the driver of the car implicated in the incident has been arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated. The crash occurred in the 2900 block of N Lamar Blvd, near House Park Athletic Stadium in Central Austin.
According to FOX 7 Austin, the incident took place around 11:33 p.m. on August 29, when two AISD school buses carrying band students from McCallum High School were struck by a sedan. The driver of the sedan, identified as 23-year-old Fallon Ramos, was arrested for a DWI. Concern emerged among parents upon hearing news of the crash. "It scared me," Rolando Tey told FOX 7 Austin, reflecting the unease that spread through the community.
Amanda Levi, a parent of a student who was meant to be at the game that evening, expressed her alarm upon learning of the crash. "My daughter was supposed to be at that game, and so hearing about something is a little bit alarming," Levi said in a statement obtained by FOX 7 Austin. The crash resulted in minor injuries to five students and one of the bus drivers.
Further details revealed by CBS Austin included comments from Captain Christa Stedman with Austin/Travis County EMS, explaining the response to the crash. “There were an additional five patients on the scene that were evaluated for minor injuries but none of them required transport,” said Stedman. She further acknowledged the potential severity of such incidents involving busloads of students, hinting at a relief that the outcome was not worse.
*CORRECTION* Multi-Patient Collision at N Lamar Blvd / San Gabriel St (23:32): #ATCEMSMedics are reporting a total of SIX patients who are being evaluated for injuries. One adult is being transported to Dell Seton Medical Center with potentially serious injuries. More to follow. https://t.co/u3CcZqQTYI pic.twitter.com/R5PfdYechS
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) August 30, 2024
McCallum High School Principal Andy Baxa communicated with parents stating the sedan appeared to have swerved out of its lane, leading to the collision. With the driver of the car taken to the hospital, and AISD students and staff treated at the scene, the crash is still under investigation by local authorities. Austin ISD, which had previously equipped all its buses with seat belts after a fatal bus crash in March, seems to stand out in a regional context where other districts are still working on similar safety enhancements.
