Photo by: wral
State troopers are investigating a crash involving a school bus that injured two children and sent two people to the hospital Wednesday in Orange County.
Orange County Schools confirmed that a bus from River Park Elementary was involved in an accident with another car around 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Faucette Mill Road and Odie Street in Hillsborough.
According to state troopers, the bus driver was driving west on Faucette Mill Road. The school bus was turning left when the driver of a 2017 Subaru Outback – identified as 58-year-old Maritza Avette Brooks, of Hillsborough – tried to pass the bus and hit it.
Brooks’ car overturned, and she was ejected from the car.
Of the 19 students on the bus at the time, two of them were treated by EMS at the scene then sent home with their parents. EMS took the bus driver to UNC Hillsborough with minor injuries, and Brooks was transported to UNC Hospital with serious injuries.
Troopers charged Brooks with the following crimes:
- Passing in a no-passing zone
- Careless and reckless driving
- Failure to wear a seat belt
When to stop for school buses
Each year, children are injured or killed when drivers don’t stop or slow down for buses. All vehicles must stop for school buses on two lane roads, even if there is a turn lane.
If a four-lane road does not have any kind of median, everyone in both directions must stop. If that four-lane road has something in the middle, whether it’s a center turn lane or any kind of a median, only drivers behind and beside the bus must stop. Drivers headed in the opposite direction can keep traveling.
Parents should also remind their kids not to get lost in their phone or music when crossing a street.
Accidents involving school buses can be particularly distressing, as they often involve children and can lead to complex legal issues. At Ovadia Law Group, we understand the unique challenges that arise in these cases and are committed to providing expert legal support. Our experienced attorneys will work diligently to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, gather evidence, and determine liability. Whether you are a parent of an injured child or a driver involved in the incident, we are dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress. Don’t navigate this difficult situation alone—contact Ovadia Law Group at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation, and let us help you seek the justice and support you need during this challenging time.
Source: wral
