A Northwestern Local Schools student died and more than twenty others were injured in a school bus crash Tuesday morning, the first day of classes for the district in Clark County.
A 2010 Honda Odyssey minivan crossed left of center shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday on state Route 41 about a mile and a half from the Northwestern schools campus, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The school bus driver saw the minivan cross over, said Sgt. Tyler Ross with the state patrol.
“The school bus made an evasive action and partially drove onto the right shoulder in an attempt to avoid the vehicle," Ross said. "But they did make contact, the van did strike the left rear of the school bus and that’s what caused it to go completely off the roadway and subsequently overturn.”
The bus was carrying 52 children at the time. An unidentified child was ejected from the bus and died at the scene.
Twenty three other students were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. One student was transported to Dayton Children’s Hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.
Bus driver Alfred E. Collier suffered minor injuries. EMS treated the 68-year-old at the scene.
Hermanio Joseph, 35, was driving the Honda Odyssey, troopers said.
Investigators say Joseph and his passenger, 37-year-old Roberto Mompremier, were transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Both are Springfield residents.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the crash heartbreaking and offered condolences to the family of the student killed.
"Our hearts also go out to everyone on the bus, as well as their families, peers, and teachers. Our prayers are with you all," DeWine said in a statement on Tuesday.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona spoke in Cincinnati on Tuesday morning, saying he was praying for the families and the community.
"We recognize that whether or not your children were on that bus, that affects the entire community ... We are thinking about the families. It's a very difficult way to start. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and if there's anything we can do to support them, we're going to be there."
The district canceled all classes Wednesday, and will have grief counselors on campus for any students or community members who need to talk to someone.
