EASTON, Md. - Students from the Caroline County School District were on their way to Easton High School when they were involved in a crash.
The accident Monday morning was in the area of MD 328 (Matthewstown) road and Three Bridge Branch road in Easton. Maryland State Police say a car reportedly ran a stop sign and hit the side of the bus around 8 a.m. Nine children on the bus and the driver were taken to the hospital for their injuries. The juvenile driver of the car was also taken to the hospital. MSP says charges are pending.
The crash caused the bus to turn over on its side.
Around noon, the bus and SUV involved in the crash were cleared from the scene but what remained on the road and in the ditches were school papers, broken glass, and pieces of tire.
Parents and homeowners in the area said the fog Monday morning was too dense to drive. So they ask, why wasn't there a fog delay?
Andrew Seehafer's daughter was on the bus Monday morning. He says his daughter sustained minor injuries with a concussion and cut on her forehead.
"We just got the scene as quick as we could and as soon as I got there I almost- I almost lost my mind. I mean, that's my baby girl. Seeing a bus on its side- hearing about it is one thing, seeing it is another," says Seehafer. "They wouldn't let parents get anywhere near the bus. It was so hectic out there. So many ambulances, So many emergency personnel."
The Caroline County Public Schools says the bus was transporting Navy Junior ROTC or NJROTC students and they were on their way to Easton High School.
Seehafer added, "She was one of two students that was sent to Easton Memorial... Some students were in a sling. Some students had their heads busted open." He went on to say, "I was also told by one of the paramedics that the bus driver did everything in his power and everything he could to keep the bus on the road."
Photos of the fog [attached above] were taken Monday morning by an MDOT employee.
Parents with Caroline County ask why there wasn't a delay.
Savannah Jordan says, "They really try to accommodate families. A lot of parents can't go to work late because of a fog delay but some things have to give. There has got to be some sort of safety procedure in line to keep our kids safe."
Jordan added, "I would've thought there would be a fog delay. When I was in school, we definitely would've had a fog delay." She went on to say, "It could've been my kids on the school bus. I put mine on the bus this morning. I mean I'm very thankful that my kids are safe but my heart just really goes out to families whose kids were on that school bus."
Caroline County Public School Officials tell us decisions on fog delays are made early in the morning around 5:30 a.m. and when the decision was made Monday, there were no foggy conditions at the time that would require a delay.
Maryland State Police have not yet determined if the fog and the weather were a determining factor in this accident.
