WINTER HAVEN, FL — Two people were killed Monday morning in Winter Haven after a multi-vehicle crash involving a school bus sent the bus into oncoming traffic on Lucerne Park Road. One of the victims was a 10th-grade girl riding the bus, and the other was a person in a separate vehicle.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened near State Road 544 at 6:13 a.m. and set off a large emergency response. Polk County Traffic Homicide investigators are examining how the wreck unfolded, while the National Transportation Safety Board said later in the day that it is also joining the investigation.
Sheriff says Chevy Malibu struck the bus before the head-on collision
Sheriff Grady Judd said a white Chevy Malibu crossed the yellow lines and hit the back of the school bus. The impact caused the bus to swerve out of the eastbound lane and move into the westbound lane of Lucerne Park Road.
Once the bus crossed into oncoming traffic, it struck a Jeep head on, according to Judd. One person in the Jeep was killed. Judd called the scene horrific and said it was one of the worst bus tragedies he could remember.
Dozens were on the bus, including students, the driver and her young daughter
Authorities said there were 39 people on the bus at the time of the crash. That included students, the bus driver and the driver’s 9-year-old daughter, who was also riding along.
Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid said students are trained on how to evacuate a bus if it is involved in a crash. He said the outcome could have been even worse, pointing to the condition of the bus and where it came to rest after the wreck.
Massive emergency response brought helicopters, ambulances and private vehicles
Judd said at least 100 emergency personnel responded to the scene after the crash. Multiple helicopters were dispatched for at least five trauma victims, while other injured people were taken to hospitals by ambulance and in private vehicles.
Officials said three people were airlifted. The hospitals that received patients included AdventHealth Heart of Florida, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, Winter Haven Hospital and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women and Children. Most of those treated were released Monday afternoon.
Overturned bus landed in a ditch with heavy damage to the front end
The sheriff and the superintendent held their news conference in front of the wrecked bus, which had overturned and come to rest in a ditch beside the road. The bus was on its roof, and its front end was crushed into twisted metal.
It also appeared to be missing one of its four rear tires. The damaged vehicle remained a stark reminder of the force involved in the crash as investigators continued to work the scene.
Road reopened as investigators said more details will come Tuesday
Lucerne Park Road reopened shortly before 3 p.m. after being closed for the crash investigation. The sheriff’s office said it would not release bus video or 911 calls on Monday.
Another news conference is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Officials also said the driver of the Chevy Malibu is cooperating with investigators, and several agencies assisted the sheriff’s office, including Winter Haven Fire, Winter Haven Police, Haines City Police, Polk County Fire Rescue and Polk County Public Schools.