Bus driver charged in morning school bus accident

Virginia State Police photo.

Another accident involving an Accomack County school bus occurred Thursday morning on Chincoteague Road. According to callers at the scene, the incident took place in the eastbound lane in front of Wallops Island Supply.

In a statement, Chief Operating Officer of Accomack County Public Schools, Beth Onley, said: “There was an incident this morning on Chincoteague Road near Wallops Island Supply involving an ACPS school bus and a dually pickup. There were 11 students on board, all of whom were checked by local EMT personnel and cleared. The driver of the pickup was transported to the hospital. All parents were notified.”

According to Sgt. Michelle Anaya with the Virginia State Police, a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet 3500 dually truck was traveling eastbound on Route 175 and had stopped in the roadway to turn into a local business. The school bus, also traveling eastbound on Route 175, failed to stop in time and rear-ended the Chevrolet.

The driver and sole occupant of the Chevrolet truck sustained minor injuries and was transported to Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital.

The cause of the crash has been attributed to the school bus driver, identified as a 63-year-old female from Chincoteague, Virginia. She was issued a summons for following too closely, in violation of Virginia Code 46.2-816.