STEVENSVILLE, Mont. — The Montana Highway Patrol reports just after 7:40 a.m. a Ford F350 was headed north on Eastside Highway while a Subaru and Pontiac were stopped for a school bus with a deployed stop arm.
MHP says visibility was poor with fog in the area.
The Ford did not slow down and rear ended the Subaru near Groff Lane. The Subaru was pushed into the rear of the Pontiac while also striking the school bus.
The students and bus driver were not injured, however the driver of the Subaru was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Stevensville School Superintendent Jon Konen tells MTN that first responders, Harlow’s Bus Company, and school administration provided support at the scene.
He says parents were contacted immediately as staff worked with Harlow’s to get the kids safely to school where they were then checked by nursing staff.
The Stevensville School District is grateful to all those who handled the situation.
The Montana Highway Patrol wants to remind the public to slow down when visibility is limited, that buses frequently stop, and that all vehicles must stop when a bus has red lights on or a stop arm out.
FIRST REPORT:
A car collided into the back tires of a school bus Monday morning, according to the Stevensville School District.
The crash took place at 7:43 a.m. in Ravalli County at the intersection of Eastside Highway and Groff Lane, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.
The Stevensville School District posted about this incident on social media around 8:30 a.m. A vehicle ran into the back tires of the school bus while it was trying to avoid an accident. Six students were on the bus at the time of the accident.
"All students involved have been delivered to the school. Parents of those involved have been notified. Thanks to our team for a quick response from Harlow's Bus Company, to administration, and to our nursing staff," the Stevensville School District wrote on social media.
KPAX is working to learn more about this incident, check back with us for updates.
