UPDATE: Two dead, multiple injured school bus-tractor trailer crash on I-79
Eagle Staff Report
A teenage student and the driver of a school bus involved in a crash with a tractor-trailor this afternoon on Interstate 79 in Muddy Creek township have died.
John Hanovick, a deputy county coroner, confirmed late Tuesday night that a 14-year-old female passenger on the bus and the male driver were killed on impact in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene at 4:55 p.m.
Hanovich said autopsies on both of the deceased, who he could not name until the bodies were released to their families, would be performed overnight on Tuesday.
The bus was transporting students from Lincoln Park Performing Arts School of Midland, Beaver County, according to state police.
Police did not confirm how many students were on the bus or the students' destination.
Multiple students were transported to UPMC Childrens and UPMC Presbyterian hospitals following the crash, which occurred at the 96.6 mile marker in the northbound land of I-79, according to state police.
A spokesperson for UPMC confirmed that five teenagers were treated for minor injuries on Tuesday evening at UPMC Children's Hospital.
Lindsay Rodgers and Richard Grimes, principal and school board president at Lincoln Park Performing Arts School, respectively, appeared at a news conference held by state police at 8 p.m. at Moraine Elementary School in Prospect.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the events that took place this afternoon,” said Grimes, who did not confirm the deaths at the news conference. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the students and our driver involved in the accident.”
Grimes asked for patience as school officials learn details about the crash.
Josh Black, spokesman for state police, Troop D in Butler, said the State Police Accident Reconstruction team was headed to the scene Tuesday evening to try and determine what happened.
PennDOT said Interstate 79 northbound between mile markers 99 and 102 remained closed as of 11 p.m. as troopers investigate the accident and clear the scene.
Black said state police are in the “infancy stages” of the investigation and will release more information soon.
Black asked that drivers avoid the area. He said the southbound lane is open in the area of the crash.
A state police news release said the uninjured students were reunited with their parents after the crash.
Butler County dispatch called for several medical helicopters and ambulances to respond to the scene around 4:30 p.m.
This story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. Butler Eagle reporters will continue to follow this story and share more as it becomes available.
