A tragic incident unfolded on U.S. 301 in Riverview when a motorcyclist collided with a Hillsborough County school bus and subsequently a pickup truck, resulting in the motorcyclist's death. The Florida Highway Patrol disclosed that the crash occurred around 4 p.m. yesterday, at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Duncan Road; the driver of the school bus, 43 years old, was attempting a left turn under a flashing yellow signal when she entered the path of the northbound motorcyclist, a 26-year-old man from Sun City Center, as reported by WTSP.
In a continuation of the catastrophic events the motorcyclist, after colliding with the bus, proceeded to collide with a Dodge pickup driven by a 55-year-old Riverview man, though neither the school bus driver nor the pickup driver was harmed, and the 12 students aboard the bus at the time of the accident were physically unharmed as well, as revealed in a statement obtained by Tampa Bay Times. The bus driver, Jacqulyne Pleasant Edwards of Brandon, currently faces no charges or citations, with FHP spokesperson Sgt. Steve Gaskins indicating that the investigation was still ongoing Thursday and the school official's job status inquiries remained unanswered by the Hillsborough County schools' spokesperson.
Following the accident, the FHP has not released extensive details about the crash or the potential number of additional injuries; however, it was confirmed that all north and southbound lanes of U.S. 301 were closed while the investigation was conducted. Drivers were advised to avoid the area, as indicated by aerial footage from SkyFOX, showing the chaotic scene cordoned with patrol vehicles encircling the bus, according to FOX 13 News.
The incident raises questions about traffic signals and safety measures at intersections such as these, especially considering the tragic loss of life that ensued; however, information about whether any changes to infrastructure or policy might arise as a result remains forthcoming.
