Bus driver faces charges
JEFFERSON TWP — No students were hurt Thursday when a school bus slid into stopped traffic at about 3 p.m. on Dinnerbell Road, setting off a chain reaction that damaged four vehicles, authorities said.
Knoch High School bus No. 88 had 33 students on board, said Jason Davidek, South Butler School District spokesman.
The flat-nosed bus rounded a bend on Dinnerbell Road and hit a newer model Mercedes Benz station wagon that had stopped because the car in front of it was making a left turn into a driveway, said state police and Ben Roenigk, manager of W.L. Roenigk bus company.
Those three vehicles and a pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction were damaged, he said.
The bus driver, Paula Scott, who has about 10 years of experience, was unable to stop on the wet road, Roenigk said. Scott was not injured in the crash.
Saxonburg Fire Chief Chris Ballina said the road was wet from the rain but not slippery.
Police don't know what caused the crash, but investigators said Scott faces three traffic tickets for driving at an unsafe speed, following too close to another vehicle and careless driving.
The Mercedes sustained moderate damage to the front and rear areas. The other car had heavy rear damage, said Chief Chris Ballina of the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company.
None of the other drivers, whose names were not available this morning, were injured when initially examined at the scene. The driver of the Mercedes later went to Butler Memorial Hospital for a precautionary checkup.
The students were checked by emergency medical personnel at the scene before they were released to their parents or boarded an auxiliary bus which completed the route, Davidek said.
The district informed each parent of the accident, Davidek said.
The bus sustained about $2,500 damage, including its bumper, air cooler and radiator. Damage estimates for the other vehicles were not available.
Eagle staff writer Jim Smith contributed to this report.
