Driver of Johnston County school bus ticketed after 12 injured in crash
The driver of a Johnston County public school bus that overturned on its side Monday afternoon in Clayton has received a ticket for failing to maintain lane control.
The 48-year-old woman was not impaired and was not speeding at the time of the crash, said 1st Sgt. J.W. Collins of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on Tuesday.
“It was a matter of driver error,” he said. “Running off the road to the right and then overcorrecting — that started the chain of events.”
The crash led to eleven Cleveland High School students and the bus driver being hospitalized with injuries, officials said.
The driver sustained serious injuries, but they were not life-threatening, Collins said.
Only one student was taken to a non-local hospital for a higher level of care, but the injuries were not serious or life-threatening, Collins said.
No other charges will be filed in the crash, Collins said.
The bus was traveling on Polenta Road and carrying 31 students near the high school when the incident occurred around 2 p.m.
Students who were not injured were taken back to the high school in another school bus to be picked up, according to Johnston County Schools spokeswoman Caitlin Furr.
Johnston County Schools said the bus driver has been driving a bus for a few years but the district did not provide a hire date.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts may be unclear and details may change as the story develops. Our reporters are working to get information as quickly and accurately as possible. This story may be updated as more information becomes available. Refresh this page for the most up-to-date report.
This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 4:08 PM.
