New Castle – The Delaware State Police are continuing to investigate a serious motor vehicle crash involving a school bus that occurred Monday afternoon, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said the incident occurred at approximately 4:05 p.m., Monday, September 23, 2019, on westbound Rt. 40 (Pulaski Hwy.) just east of School Bell Road. A 2012 Blue Ridge school bus which was solely occupied by the driver, a 74-year-old Middletown man, was stopped at a red light in the Rt. 40 westbound left lane, just prior to the intersection with School Bell Rd. A 2016 Ram pick-up truck, operated by a 42-year-old Bear man, was traveling Route 40 westbound in the left lane, directly behind the school bus. For an undetermined reason, the Ram failed to stop behind the bus and collided with the rear of the bus.
The driver of the school bus was transported to the Christiana Hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the Ram, who was cited for inattentive driving, was transported to the Christiana Hospital with serious injuries.
Rt. 40 was closed between Appleby Rd. and School Bell Rd. for approximately 1 hr. and 45 minutes, while the scene was investigated and cleared.
Breaking Report
Bear – The Delaware State Police are currently on scene of a serious motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles, one of which was a school bus. The school bus was occupied by the driver only, no students were on board.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:05 p.m., Monday, September 23, 2019, on U.S. 40 westbound at School Bell Road In Bear.
Early indications are that a pickup truck crashed into the back of the school bus and trapped the driver of the truck. The driver was extricated by responding rescue crews and transported to the trauma center at Christiana Hospital.
Route 40 WB was closed for around two hours while crews worked to investigate and clear the crash.
Troopers said the investigation is in the very early stages with further details being released as they become available.
This is a developing story.