A Monday morning commute in South Phoenix turned tense near 27th Avenue and Southern Avenue when a school bus ended up in a three-vehicle crash. Three children riding the bus walked away without injuries, while two adults were taken to a hospital as a precaution, according to officials. Investigators remained at the scene and had not yet said what triggered the collision.
What we know
According to ABC15 Arizona, Phoenix police said three vehicles were involved in the crash near 27th Avenue and Southern Avenue. Officers told the station that the three children on the bus were not hurt, and that two adults were transported to a hospital as a precautionary measure. As of the station's Monday report, investigators had not yet determined what led to the crash.
State and national context
State data suggest that crashes involving school buses remain relatively uncommon. The Arizona Department of Transportation's 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report counted six school bus drivers injured and five bus passengers injured statewide last year, a reminder that the vast majority of school bus trips are completed safely.
Even so, ADOT notes that bus drivers report roughly 13,000 motorists each year for failing to stop when a bus has its stop arm extended, a persistent safety problem on Arizona roads. Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's analysis of school transportation related crashes from 2013 to 2022 found nearly 1,000 fatal crashes and more than 1,000 fatalities, a stark backdrop that highlights why following stop arm laws is not optional.
What drivers and parents should know
Arizona law requires drivers to stop for a school bus that is stopped and displaying alternating flashing red lights along with an extended stop sign. Violations bring minimum civil penalties and can lead to driver license suspension under Justia's posting of Arizona Revised Statutes §28-857.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or captured video is urged to contact Phoenix police. Parents are advised to follow instructions from their school district and the bus operator regarding student safety and any next steps. This story will be updated if authorities release additional information about the collision.
