Two buses in crashes

Published 10:31 pm Thursday, March 17, 2016

Two Suffolk Public Schools buses were involved in separate crashes on Thursday.

Five students were taken to local emergency rooms to be evaluated following the first crash on Thursday morning, according to a city news release.

The crash was reported at 7:07 a.m. at the intersection of Bennetts Pasture Road and Lee Farm Lane, according to a city press release. Preliminary investigation found the driver of a Toyota SUV was making a left onto Bennetts Pasture Road from Lee Farm Lane when it pulled in front of the bus, which T-boned the Toyota, according to the release.

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All 39 students and both drivers received emergency medical assessment, and there were initially no complaints of injuries, according to the press release. However, while waiting for the replacement bus to transport them to school, five students complained of injuries. Three were taken to Sentara Belle Harbour, and two were taken to Bon Secours Harbour View.

The driver of the Toyota was charged with reckless driving, according to the release.

The second accident happened Thursday afternoon. It was reported at 5:23 p.m. and involved a bus transporting students from King’s Fork High School and a Chevrolet Malibu.

The accident occurred in the 1200 block of B Street in the Beamon’s Mill neighborhood, when the bus driver backed up into the Malibu as it was traveling on Beamons Mill Road, according to the press release. Both vehicles sustained “very minor damage” and were able to drive away from the scene. There were no injuries to the 40 students or to the drivers of either vehicle, according to the press release.

The bus driver was charged with reckless driving.