Polk County school bus crash kills 2, including Winter Haven High School student: PCSO

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A crash involving a Polk County school bus and three other vehicles left two people dead, including a 10th grade Winter Haven High School student, and sent multiple others to hospitals Monday morning, according to law enforcement.

Fatal crash on Lucerne Park Road

What we know:

Around 6:15 a.m. on Monday, while it was still dark outside, a Polk County school bus carrying 39 people was traveling eastbound on Lucerne Park Road, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.  

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said a westbound white Chevy Malibu crossed the center line for unknown reasons and struck the tandem rear wheels of the bus. 

Judd added that the impact caused the bus to lose traction and ripped off one of its tires. The bus then crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a silver Jeep, according to authorities. The Jeep caught fire, and its driver was killed.

Tragic loss of life and injuries

By the numbers:

Judd said two people were killed in the crash, including a 10th-grade girl riding the school bus and the driver inside the silver Jeep. The sheriff added that the bus was carrying 37 Winter Haven High School students, the bus driver and the driver's 9-year-old daughter. 

According to PCSO, the students were transported to hospitals in several ways:

• 22 students were taken to a hospital on another school bus accompanied by a Polk County Fire Rescue paramedic.
• Seven students were transported by ambulance.
• Three students were airlifted to hospitals.
• Four students were taken to hospitals by family members.

The bus driver and her 9-year-old daughter also were transported by ambulance, according to the sheriff's office. In addition, one adult involved in the crash was taken to a hospital by ambulance, while two other people involved in the crash transported themselves to hospitals.

Reactions to tragic bus loss

What they're saying:

Officials said one person remains in critical condition, while several others are being treated or have been treated and released. 

"I think this is the most horrific bus tragedy that we've had in decades," Judd said. "If there's a silver lining, the silver lining is there wasn't more fatalities than there were. But to have one fatality is one too many. And to have one fatality of a beautiful high school girl is just heartbreaking."

Ninth grader Johanelis Feliciano says the crash hit especially close to home because she regularly sees the bus involved.

"Sad that some people died because it's the bus that I see every day," Feliciano said. "People are crying because that was some people's friends."

Alayna Davis says the crash weighed heavily on students throughout the school day.

"Everybody was upset about the whole situation and everybody just kept bringing it up," Davis said. "Everybody was just upset and crying."

Parent Alana Kessler says her thoughts are with everyone affected by the crash.

"It's horrible tragedy, I can't even imagine," Kessler said. "Heartbroken for family, friends, anybody involved."

Investigation and response ongoing

What we don't know:

Authorities have not publicly released the name of the 10th-grade student who died. It remains unknown why the driver of the Chevy Malibu drifted into oncoming traffic, though sheriff's officials noted the driver was on the way to work, is cooperating and has not been arrested. 

Over 100 first responders rushed to what Judd described as the county's most tragic bus crash in decades. 

School Superintendent Fred Heid confirmed families were notified and noted emergency evacuation drills helped prevent further severe injuries to students. 

Questions about school bus equipment, including seatbelts, and student reunification should be directed to Polk County Public Schools, the sheriff's office said.

PCSO said the school bus video or 911 calls will not be released on Monday.

Traffic impacts and next steps

What's next:

Lucerne Park Road has since reopened as of 2 p.m. Monday, according to the sheriff's office.

Winter Haven High School remained open Monday, and sheriff's officials plan to hold another press conference with more details on Tuesday around 11 a.m. 

The National Transportation Safety Board, in coordination with PCSO, has opened a safety investigation into the crash.

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