Legal News for Michigan Personal Injury Attorneys. Driver of van that struck school bus was killed; high safety levels shown in school buses.
Van driver sustained fatal injuries after it struck school bus in a two-vehicle crash.
Morenci, MI—A two-vehicle crash involving a school bus left the driver of a van fatally injured on Wednesday morning, January 6, 2010, reports the Toledo Blade. The motor vehicle collision (MVC) allegedly occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. in the Seneca Township of Lenawee County.
The Morenci Area Schools bus, driven by Gwenda Eichler, was allegedly traveling at a speed of 30 mph on West Weston Road near Mulberry Road when a van, driven by 43-year-old Kevin Tate, rear-ended the bus for undisclosed reasons. Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel responded to the scene to transport the seriously injured driver to Bixby Medical Center in Adrian, though his injuries proved fatal upon his arrival. No one aboard the school bus reported injuries after being struck by the van. Investigations into what may have caused the wreck continue.
As in many motor vehicle accidents involving school buses, passengers aboard tend to sustain little to no serious injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) http://www.nhtsa.gov allegedly stated that children traveling in school buses are almost eight times safer than they might be when riding with parents or friends in cars, trucks, vans, SUV’s, etc… Ironically, it was also noted by NHTSA that by requiring seat belts, there would be “little, if any, added protection in a crash”. The National Association for Pupil Transportation also allegedly stated that of almost 24 million school bus passengers from 2001-2002, only four fatalities were reported.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Michigan Personal Injury Lawyers.