A Crestwood School District bus was involved in an accident this Tuesday morning after striking a vehicle and a tree in Dearborn Heights, however no severe injuries were reported. The incident took place around 7:40 a.m. near W Warren Ave & Amboy St, as reported by Local 4 and WXYZ. First responders attended the scene shortly after the accident, where they checked a few children that were released to their parents without needing hospitalization.
The initial collision occurred when the bus driver reportedly hit a parked car, leading to an unavoidable encounter with a nearby tree, described by police. After smoking on arrival, the bus necessitated immediate attention from the local fire department that evaluated approximately ten students on scene, according to Audacy. No serious injuries were reported thankfully, ensuring that the accident, while startling, did not lead to a tragedy. All children were thereafter transported safely to Riverside Middle School on a replacement bus.
Authorities have yet to provide details on what led to the driver's loss of control. Dearborn Heights Police Director Paul Vanderplow emphasized the importance of student safety, remarking to WWJ's Luke Sloan, "Anytime you have a bus and you have kids, that's why we're so strict about no passing buses when the arms are out." Vanderplow added, "I know our bus drivers take great care getting through these streets to ensure the kids get to school safely."
The scare emanating from the incident was palpable among the neighborhood residents, with one individual who has lived in the house by the crash site for over a decade expressing shock at such an event occurring in their quiet enclave. School officials, including Dr. Youssef Mosallam, Superintendent of Crestwood Schools, praised the swift and careful management of the accident, saying, "We are grateful that all students are safe and that the situation was handled swiftly and with care." Expressing dedication to ongoing commitments, Mosallam further stated, "Our commitment to student safety and clear communication with families remains unwavering," in statements obtained by both ClickOnDetroit and WXYZ. In the aftermath, families of students and the community at large will be looking for answers as police investigations into the cause of the crash continue.
