Two people died and dozens more suffered injuries after a school bus transporting students to Winter Haven High School collided with multiple vehicles on a central Florida road early Monday morning, according to local authorities.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 6:13 a.m. on Lucerne Park Road, also known as State Road 544, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated during a morning news conference that a white Chevrolet Malibu veered across the center dividing lines of the two-lane roadway and clipped the rear wheels of the oncoming school bus. The force of the initial impact tore a tire completely off the bus, causing the driver to lose control. The bus swerved into the opposing lane and struck a silver Jeep head-on before overturning and coming to rest on its roof in a roadside ditch.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd noted that a 10th-grade female student aboard the bus and the driver of the Jeep both sustained fatal injuries in the collision. Authorities have not yet publicly released the identity of the high school student.
Emergency Crews Transport Dozens From Crash Site
A total of 39 individuals were on board the school bus when the crash happened, consisting of 37 students, the driver, and the driver’s nine-year-old daughter, according to sheriff’s officials. Emergency medical crews, fire rescue units, and law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene following the multi-vehicle wreck.
Injured passengers and motorists were transported to local hospitals via a combination of ambulances, private vehicles, and emergency helicopters. While initial reports varied regarding total hospitalizations, officials confirmed that between five and seven individuals sustained potentially traumatic injuries requiring intensive medical attention, with at least one person remaining in critical condition on Monday. First responders spent several hours at the scene securing the area, identifying victims, and helping reunite uninjured students with their families. The driver of the Chevy Malibu stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. According to law enforcement, the motorist stated they were commuting to work at the time of the incident and had not been arrested or charged with a crime.
Investigators Examine Cause of Florida Collision
The crash scene drew a massive response from regional public safety agencies, including the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Winter Haven Fire Department, Winter Haven Police Department, Haines City Police Department, and Polk County Fire Rescue. The National Transportation Safety Board announced Monday afternoon that it would join the ongoing inquiry into the collision.
Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid addressed reporters at the site, emphasizing that students routinely practice emergency evacuation drills for school bus incidents. Heid expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, while Polk County School Board Chairman Justin Sharpless urged the community to rally around the grieving families, school staff, and students affected by the loss. Lucerne Park Road remained closed to traffic for several hours as recovery crews cleared the wreckage, reopening shortly before 3 p.m.