One driver injured in 3-vehicle, Crystal River crash involving school bus
Crash photo courtesy of FHP.
Crystal River (Citrus County), Florida - A three-vehicle traffic crash involving a Citrus County school bus and two other vehicles resulted in injuries to one of the drivers, a 73 year-old woman from Crystal River, who was transported to Bravera Health Seven Rivers hospital in Crystal River, but "No injuries to the 39 high school level children on the bus," or the two other drivers, according to Sergeant Steve Gaskins, Public Affairs Officer for Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Troop B.
The crash occurred at 3:08 pm, Wednesday afternoon, Sepember 14, 2022, on N Dunkenfield Ave. at N. Marion Way in Crystal River.
According to the FHP crash report, a Chevrolet HHR utility vehicle, driven by the 73 year-old woman from Crystal River who was injured in the crash, was traveling north on N. Dunkenfield Ave. stopped in traffic.
A 2008 Dodge Caravan passenger van, driven by a 58 year-old man from Homosassa, Florida, also traveling north on N. Dunkenfield Ave., was traveling behind Chevrolet utility vehicle, and did not observe that it was stopped ahead, and collided into its rear.
After the collision, the Chevrolet HHR uility vehicle collided into the left side of the 2020 model school bus, driven by a 59 year-old man from Dunnellon, Florida, that was traveling north on N, Marion Way, approaching the stop sign at the intersection of N. Dunkenfield Ave., about to make a left turn.
When the investigating FHP trooper arrived at the scene of the crash, the three vehicles were blocking both lanes of N. Dunkenfield Ave., the van and utility vehicle facing north and the school bus facing west.
The driver of the Dodge Caravan was evaluated by Citrus County EMS, but was not transported to a medical facility for further care.
The crash report stated that all three drivers were wearing a seatbelt.
"Florida school buses carry precious cargo - our children," said Sergeant Gaskins. "Last year, there were 2,700 school bus crashes in Florida, which is 2,700 too many. FHP urges motorists to always be alert and drive with caution around school buses and in school zones where children may be present. Safety on and around school buses is a shared responsibility and important for everyone to know. FLHSMV and FHP are leading Florida’s Child Safety Awareness campaign...to remind everyone to drive safely with and around children so everyone can Arrive Alive this school year. Safety tips, downloadable resources, and data regarding school bus safety can be found here: www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/child-safety/school-bus-safety."