Bus driver reportedly fails to yield the right-of-way

On April 2, 2024, a White County school bus was involved in a vehicle accident while transporting students to school.

According to a preliminary report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a 2022 Bluebird School Bus driven by Joseph Crawford stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 70 and Griffintown Road, in the western portion of White County. However, the bus then proceeded to cross Highway 70 with the driver failing to yield the right of way to a van being driven eastbound by 32-year-old Freddy Reyes.

White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger issued a statement shortly after the accident indicating that none of the students were seriously injured.

“There were nine students and a driver on the bus at the time of the accident. Each was evaluated at the scene for minor injuries by medical professionals, but none were transported to the hospital,” Dronebarger said, adding that the occupants of the other vehicle were transported by ambulance with what he was told were non-life-threatening injuries. “The parents of the students involved were notified, and the students were transported to school on another bus. The accident is being investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Randy Alley, White County school bus garage supervisor, said the 2022 Bluebird Vision bus did exactly what it was designed to do.

“It’s amazing what that vehicle withstood and still was able to keep the children safe,” Alley said. “That’s exactly what we want out of our buses – the knowledge that they can keep our students safe in the case of an unfortunate incident like this.”

According to THP’s preliminary report, there were 16 students on the bus, but only one reported minor injuries.

The incident is still under investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and no charges have been filed at this time.