A school bus accident on Interstate 10 has resulted in serious injuries and the arrest of the SUV driver, FOX 10 Phoenix reports. The collision occurred near Tangerine Road in Marana, just north of Tucson, on April 1st. Four people were hospitalized as the school bus, carrying students from Kingman Unified School District, was hit by a Volvo SUV and rolled onto its side.
Following the crash, the driver of the SUV, identified by court documents as Nicolas Luis Rodriguez, 30, was arrested on several felony counts, including three counts of aggravated assault, and his bond was set at $100,000, this being notably higher than the amount recommended by prosecutors. Rodriguez allegedly tested positive for marijuana at the time of the incident, raising the specter of potential impairment being a factor in the crash, according to AZfamily. Blood samples were obtained via a search warrant, and the results could prompt more serious charges.
On the bus were students, from Kingman and Lee Williams high schools who are members of the student group Future Business Leaders of America. They were en route to a state leadership conference in Tucson. A GoFundMe page has been established to help one of the injured, identified as Bobby Liberto.
In a display of community solidarity, the Kingman Unified School District expressed gratitude towards the local response teams and the public. "We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Tucson and Marana hospitals, first aid responders, and their community for their exceptional support and assistance provided to our students and staff," the district stated on social media. The district is also assembling care baskets for those affected by the incident, and donations are being accepted at the Kingman Unified District Office, FOX 10 Phoenix confirms.
The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing, with State Troopers, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers, and Vehicular Crimes Unit Detectives involved. Meanwhile, the interstate has since reopened after being shut down for hours in the wake of the crash. Students and their families await further developments as the legal gears begin to turn against the accused SUV driver.
