12/03/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, US // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan
Port Barre, LA—A violent collision involving a school bus and a big rig left 18 students injured, three critically, on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, the Associated Press reported. Both drivers also sustained injuries in the crash, which occurred along U.S. 190 between Port Barre and Opelousas, approximately 50 miles west of Baton Rouge.
According to Louisiana State Police Trooper Stephen Hammons, Port Barre Mayor Gil Savoy, a retired school bus driver working as a substitute, was about to depart from a bus stop along U.S. 190 when something went wrong.
For unknown reasons, a tractor-trailer, driven by 52-year-old David Cox, barreled into the back of the school bus. “The bumper was pushed almost all the way to the rear wheels of the bus,” said Hammons.
There were 21 students, all of whom suffered various injuries, aboard the bus when the wreck occurred. Three of the students were rushed to area hospitals in critical condition.
The other 18 kids apparently sustained minor to moderate injuries in the wreck. They were transported to six different hospitals for treatment. The students’ ages reportedly ranged from 5 to 17.
Savoy, 67, along with the driver of the 18-wheeler, was also taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
Savoy’s wife, Camilla relayed her husband’s account of the crash to reporters. Mrs. Savoy said her husband saw the semi-truck careening towards the back of the bus and subsequently urged the children to brace themselves for what was to come.
The mayor told his wife he was able to maintain enough control to keep the school bus from veering off the roadway.
Though no charges have been filed in connection with the injurious Port Barre school bus-rig collision, a full probe was expected to be underway.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan– Legal News for Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyers.
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