A Summerfield driver is behind bars after troopers say his pickup truck rear-ended a Marion County school bus that was stopped to pick up students last Monday, then took off. The bus was packed with Belleview High School students, and several riders suffered minor injuries that were checked out by emergency crews, according to investigators.
Crash Near Summerfield Pickup
The collision happened just before 8:30 a.m. near Southeast 145th Street and Southeast 38th Terrace, when a pickup failed to slow down and hit the back of the stopped school bus, according to ClickOrlando. Troopers described the vehicle as an average-sized truck painted white, blue, and orange that left the scene before law enforcement arrived. The bus driver was not hurt, and emergency crews evaluated students at the scene.
Students Evaluated, Hospitals Notified
The bus was carrying 54 Belleview High School students. The Florida Highway Patrol said five riders were taken to a nearby hospital with minor scrapes and bruises after being evaluated, as reported by News4JAX. School officials said the remaining students did not appear to be seriously hurt, and parents were notified so they could follow up on any additional medical care.
Arrest Made Days Later
Days after the crash, the Florida Highway Patrol arrested Enmanuel Coto-Rosales in connection with the hit-and-run. He remains in custody, authorities told reporters, according to FOX 35 Orlando. Troopers said the case is still under active investigation, and formal charging information has not yet been publicly released.
FHP Asks For Tips
Despite the arrest, investigators are still asking anyone with information about the pickup to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at *347 or the FHP Ocala station at 352-512-6634. Authorities said the description of the truck could help members of the public recognize the vehicle, per ClickOrlando. Local first responders and school officials continue to work with troopers as they piece together what led up to the crash.
District Response And Safety Note
Belleview High School and district leaders said they have been coordinating with troopers to notify families and check on all students involved. They emphasized that most riders were not seriously hurt, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando. The district and state authorities are also using the incident as a reminder for drivers to stay alert on the roads and to come to a complete stop when school buses are loading or unloading students.
