Education, Public Safety
Car collides with school bus in Urbana
Posted on Oct 27, 2009 by Admin.
No one was seriously hurt when a car collided with a school bus loaded with students near Urbana Tuesday morning.
According to authorities, Franklin Stephenson, 42, of Center Point, had stopped the Center Point-Urbana school bus to pick up a rider on 55th Street Trail about a mile southeast of Urbana at around 8 a.m. when a car driven by Brandon Jess, 14, of Center Point, rear-ended the bus.
Benton County Sheriff Randy Forsyth said that around 50 t0 55 students in grades K-12 were on the bus at the time of the collision, but none of them, nor Stephenson, were harmed in the accident.
Jess was taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center for minor injuries.
Benton County Sheriff Deputy Michael Ferguson said the sun blinded Jess, causing the wreck.
“The bus was stopped, had its lights on and had its stop arm out,” Ferguson said.
The car was wedged underneath the rear of the bus, nearly to the windshield. Only the bumper appeared damaged on the bus.
Forsyth said that Jess had a school permit and that he was on his designated route to school.
He also said that any charges against Jess were still pending.
BandFan621
28. Oct, 2009
When a "Child" is allowed to drive at that age. the "Child" will not have the experience to perform that task in its entirety. The Law must be changed. While the sun can cause issues, The Bus is 11 feet high and 8 feet wide and 40 feet long. IF he can't see Bus, How will he see a "kid"? Not acceptable. Charges pending? Would you like me to make that decision for you?
GrandpaR
29. Oct, 2009
Why wasn't he taking the bus also?
sunray_1
30. Oct, 2009
I belive that the story stated that he " had a school permit and that he was on his designated route to school". If I have my information correct the student must have a certain amout of actual driving hours in before they are allowed to drive by themself on a school permit. I know many kids that have a school permit because they dont live far enough to ride the bus but to far to walk. So when the child becomes old enough they get there permit they log in their hours then drive themselvs to school. It defenity makes it easy on a busy family life.