The morning drop-off at Lafayette Elementary in Clairemont turned tense today when two school buses collided near campus, blocking a stretch of Printwood Way and prompting a California Highway Patrol SigAlert. The crash, reported around 7:30 AM, involved a Cajon Valley Union School District bus and a San Diego Unified school bus, authorities said. Officials told reporters that people on board were hurt, although early details did not specify how many children were injured or how serious those injuries were.
What Officials Are Saying
According to FOX5 San Diego, the collision occurred in the 6100 block of Printwood Way and was listed in a CHP SigAlert. Responders arrived quickly and shut down the roadway while medics and investigators checked on those involved and worked the scene. Initial reports said it was not immediately clear how many children were on board at the time.
Where It Happened
Lafayette Elementary is located at 6125 Printwood Way in Clairemont, and the school's website notes that staff supervision on campus begins at 7:30 a.m., around the same time many students arrive for breakfast or morning assembly. With the crash happening so close to campus and right in the middle of the usual arrival rush, neighbors and commuters watched as emergency crews converged on the block and worked to secure the area.
Injuries And Response
Emergency personnel evaluated people at the scene, and at least some individuals were reported to have been injured, FOX5 San Diego reported. CHP officers took charge of traffic control while investigators remained on site through the morning, trying to piece together how the two school buses ended up colliding on a residential street that is usually packed with parents, kids and carpools at that hour.
Local Context
School-bus crashes are relatively rare, but they are not unheard of during busy morning routes. In one previous incident in San Diego, a December 2018 crash sent nearly 40 students to a hospital for evaluation, though most of the injuries were minor, according to the Los Angeles Times. In situations like these, districts typically follow up with counseling and outreach for students and families who were directly or indirectly affected.
CHP investigators were expected to continue their work through the morning and release additional details once they are available. Parents and caregivers with students at Lafayette Elementary are being urged to keep an eye on official district communications and local media for updates.
