Johnston County witnessed a string of school bus-related incidents yesterday, with authorities responding to no less than three separate occurrences that raised concerns over student safety. In the first of these, a school bus ferrying nine middle school students collided with an SUV at approximately 7:50 a.m. at the critical juncture of N.C. Highway 50 and Sanders Road in Willow Spring, as reported by JoCo Report. While the students and bus driver emerged unscathed from the wreck, early examinations have yet to clarify the state of the SUV driver.
Further details furnished by the N.C. State Highway Patrol elucidate the driver of a red Jeep Grand Cherokee, having been distracted by his phone, ran a red light, precipitating the crash with the school bus; the troopers cited the driver for the mishap, captured by surveillance footage from 4042 Motor Sports, which clearly showed the critical moments before the collision as both vehicles seemingly tried to beat the yellow signal—an error of judgment leading to the unfortunate impact, the aftermath of which was covered by CBS 17.
Adding to the chaotic morning, Johnston County Public Schools confirmed a subsequent accident involving another school bus near Clayton High School; six students were on board, but fortunately, there were no injuries reported, as per CBS 17. The students were transported to their respective educational institutions by an alternate bus to continue their school day.
Moreover, in the afternoon around 3:30 p.m., a third collision occurred, this time involving a school bus and a garbage truck from GFL on Covered Bridge Road; although no students were present, and no injuries were sustained, as reported by North Side Fire & Rescue, a statement obtained by WRAL, the front of the bus sustained severe damage, notably with the left tire being completely torn off, indicating the intensity of the collision.
Incidentally, a separate incident in Halifax County was reported wherein a school bus was engulfed in flames on 10th Street and Mills Street, with the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department confirming that no children were on board at the time and no injuries occurred; while a definitive cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, Ralph LeGrand, a local business owner specializing in fire safety, informed WRAL that "most fires on school buses start in the engine" where the turbochargers generate significant heat.
