School bus and car collide

Posted

Emergency vehicles responded to a school bus accident in front of Zaxby’s at the corner of Bells Highway and Upchurch Lane at 7:50 am on Thursday March 12.

A blue 2013 Ford SUV ran a red light at the intersection on Bells in front of the Walmart complex, colliding with a school bus which was turning left from Upchurch Road by Zaxby’s onto Bells Highway.

The bus had the green light and was proceeding into the intersection when the SUV approached running the red light. The school bus crashed into the SUV, forcing it onto the shoulder of the roadway.

The SUV was totaled as the left front hood, fender, and driver’s door were crushed, windows shattered, and all air bags deployed.

The school bus also received damage to the right front hood and fender. Both vehicles had to be towed.

Approximately 14 county and city law enforcement vehicles along with Fire-Rescue were on hand to provide assistance to both drivers, bus riders and the traffic clogging the highway, which was backed up for several blocks.

Emergency personnel swept glass from the roadway and cleaned debris blocking the highway.

No serious injuries were reported, but six children were transported to Colleton Medical Center for observation. The SUV driver was charged with the accident.