Polk County sheriff calls crash most horrific bus tragedy in decades
A school bus carrying 37 high school students rolled over in Winter Haven, Florida, on Monday morning after a Chevy Malibu crossed into its lane, triggering a chain-reaction crash that killed a 10th-grade girl and one person who was in the Jeep.
The crash occurred at about 6:15 a.m. EDT on Lucerne Park Road near U.S. Highway 27, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The Malibu struck the school bus, causing the bus to lose control; in the process the bus lost a tire and then collided head-on with a Jeep. The bus came to rest upside down next to the road. According to UPI, three cars were ultimately part of the crash along with the school bus.
The deceased were a 10th-grade girl aboard the bus and one person who was in the Jeep, the sheriff’s office said. Several others were injured.
The bus was operated by Polk County Public Schools and was en route to Winter Haven High School at the time of the crash. It was carrying 39 people in total, the sheriff’s office said: 37 high school students, the bus driver, and the driver’s 9-year-old daughter.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, speaking at a press briefing, called the crash the most horrific bus tragedy the county had experienced in decades. “I’ve done this job my entire adult life, and this is the most horrific bus tragedy we’ve had in decades,” Judd said.
The school district issued a statement acknowledging the deaths: “A PCPS school bus was involved in a serious accident this morning in Winter Haven, which claimed the life of a Winter Haven High student and another motorist. This is devastating news for WHHS and our community. We are praying for the victims and their families. Thank you to the many dedicated first responders who provided essential support this morning.”
Following the crash, police shut down Lucerne Park Road in both directions near U.S. Highway 27.