Ohio Student Dies, Dozens Injured in School Bus Crash

August 23, 2023

An elementary student was killed and another 23 students were injured, one critically, after a school bus crash on the first day of school in Clark County, Ohio.

The Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal crash, which occurred at approximately 8:16 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

Sgt. Tyler Ross said in a statement that a model-year 2016 school bus operated by Northwestern Local Schools was traveling westbound on State Route 41 when a 2010 Honda Odyssey minivan traveling eastbound crossed the center line.

Ross said school bus driver Alfred E. Collier, 68, attempted to avoid the car by swerving. However, the bus and car collided, and the bus overturned.

Collier was driving 52 students at the time. One student, who was not identified at this report, was ejected from the school bus and died at the scene. Twenty-two students were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and another student was transported in serious condition.

The location on Ohio State Road 41 near Lawrenceville Road, based on police statements and media photos, where a minivan collided with a school bus nearly head-on, resulting in a student fatality and 23 injuries on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. — The location on Ohio State Road 41 near Lawrenceville Drive, based on police statements and local media reports and photos, where a minivan crossed the center line and collided with a school bus, resulting in a rstudent fatality and 23 injuries on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Source: Google Street View.

The minivan driver was identified as 35-year-old Hermanio Joseph. He had one passenger, Roberto Mompremier, 37. Both were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

School bus driver Collier was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the incident, according to Ross, and suffered minor injuries. Ross added no seat belts were available on the school bus for the students.

Northwestern Local Schools Superintendent Jessie Steiner released a statement on social media reporting the incident The district confirmed that the deceased student attended elementary school and canceled classes on Wednesday. Families were notified that grief counselors would be available.

Meanwhile, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine posted a statement on social media to report the student death of the child and offer his condolences to the family.

The crash remains under investigation.