A multi-vehicle crash in Santa Rosa County, Florida, left several people injured on Tuesday afternoon. The incident involved a van, an SUV, and a school bus, but fortunately, no students were harmed in the collision. The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene, which occurred around 3:16 p.m. on U.S. 98 (State Road 30).
The driver of the van, a 31-year-old man from Gulf Breeze, Florida, and the SUV driver, a 43-year-old woman from Navarre, Florida, both sustained minor injuries in the crash. However, the 75-year-old school bus driver from Milton, Florida, was thankfully uninjured, according to authorities.
The sequence of events leading to the crash was detailed by the Florida Highway Patrol. The van was traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 98, approaching the intersection of Suncrest Street in the inside lane. Simultaneously, the SUV was also eastbound on U.S. Highway 98 in the inside lane, while the school bus was eastbound on U.S. Highway 98 in the outside lane.
The driver of the van explained to authorities that he became distracted by a water bottle rolling around on the driver’s side floorboard. As he reached down to retrieve the bottle, he failed to notice that traffic had come to a stop. This resulted in the van colliding with the SUV’s rear bumper before hitting the school bus.
The SUV driver recounted her perspective, stating that she had stopped in the inside lane for the school bus, which was actively discharging students with its red lights flashing and stop sign activated. Despite attempting to alert the van driver by tapping her brakes, she was unable to prevent the collision. She recalled feeling the impact of the van hitting her vehicle before striking the school bus.
The school bus driver, who was in the process of letting a student off the bus, observed the van approaching at a high speed. Acting quickly, he grabbed the student to ensure her safety during the impact. Fortunately, the student and another passenger on the bus were unharmed.
The crash resulted in extensive damage to both the van and the SUV, highlighting the severity of the collision. The Florida Highway Patrol conducted a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident and ensure the safety of all individuals involved.
In conclusion, the multi-vehicle crash in Santa Rosa County serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining attentive and focused while driving. Distracted driving can have serious consequences, leading to accidents and injuries. It is crucial for all motorists to prioritize safety on the road to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.