Deadly School Bus Crash in Chicago May Have Involved Red Light Violation

Bisnar Chase
April 10, 2013

A man was killed after a Chicago school bus collision where the bus driver apparently ran a red light and crashed into two SUVs. The fatal crash occurred at Route 173 and Kilbourne Road in Newport Township near Wadsworth as the bus was taking children to Newport Elementary School. Lake County Sheriff’s officials said the bus driver may have run a red light and struck a Jeep Wrangler headed south on Kilbourne. A Jeep Cherokee at the intersection was also struck. The bus tipped over to its side and the windows were shattered.

The driver of the Wrangler was killed and several children suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said 23 children were in good or fair condition. Another 12 students were sent to hospitals by ambulance. Officials say that the school bus’s high seatbacks protected the children, which is why they did not suffer more serious injuries. Witnesses also told police that the female driver of the school bus ran a red light.

It is indeed fortunate that none of the children were catastrophically injured or killed in this school bus crash. I wish everyone who was injured a speedy recovery and offer my condolences to the family members of the deceased victim.

School Bus Crash Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 23 million children travel by school bus every day. About 800 school-aged children are killed in motor vehicle accidents during normal school travel hours each year in the United States and 20 of those deaths are school-bus-related. An average of five are school bus passengers and 15 pedestrians, often students struck inadvertently by the school bus, NHTSA reports.

Liability Issues

In this particular school bus accident, it appears that the school bus driver ran a red light and struck the two SUVs. If this information is accurate, then, the injured victims and the family of the deceased victim can file a lawsuit against the driver and potentially other parties including her employer, the school district and school board seeking compensation.

Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, physical therapy, permanent injuries, disabilities, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Family members of deceased victims can seek damages by filing a wrongful death claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured victims and their families in such cases regarding their legal rights and options.