2008.08.29
Students back in school after bus wreck
Montgomery County school transportation officials say they are reviewing video surveillance footage on school bus No. 40 after the bus and another vehicle were involved in an accident on Thursday morning.
The school system transferred 36 Kipps Elementary students to another bus after the accident, which occurred about 8:10 a.m. on Merrimac Road outside Blacksburg. The school's nurse checked students and no one was injured, said Rebecca Mummau, transportation director.
"There's not a story here," she said. "I'm not sure where all the pandemonium started exactly."
According to Virginia State Police report, a Hyundai travelling south on Merrimac slid across the road and "struck" the school bus, driven by 39-year-old Palela Diane Lopez. The bus was driving a 30 mph in the 55 mph zone. The jeep was travelling at 30.
The school system sent a replacement bus because of "how long it takes the police to investigate," Mummau said.
No one was cited in the crash, state police said.
When students arrived at school, four left for the day complaining of injuries. All had returned to school today, said Lois Graham, director of elementary education.
Mummau said there was little the school system, or the driver, could have done to prevent the accident. She blamed it on wet road conditions. The police report said the road was wet, but did not cite fault. The report estimated about $6,000 in damages to the bus.
Brian Kitts, Kipps' principal, sent a letter home to parents of children on the bus, telling them that a minor accident had occurred, and asked parents to call if they had questions.
"I don't think we had any major problems," Mummau said.
