School bus driver dies, pre-schoolers injured in Jeffersonville crash
Both buses in head-on accident were carrying Sullivan West students
MONTICELLO, NY — A school bus driver has died …
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JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — A school bus driver has died and two children were taken to the hospital after a head-on collision Monday in Jeffersonville.
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office reports that a minivan traveling east on NYS Route 52 struck a full-sized school bus traveling west. Deputies at the scene found that the minivan had crossed the double-yellow line and into the path of the full-sized bus.
The full-sized bus, which serves the Sullivan West Central School District, was not carrying students at the time. The injured pre-schoolers were traveling in the minivan, which is owned by Sullivan County and was transporting for county services.
The Youngsville Fire Department extricated the minivan driver, who was then flown to Westchester Medical Center in a Life Flight helicopter. He died of his injuries.
Youngsville was assisted at the scene by Jeffersonville Fire Department.
Undersheriff Eric Chaboty said Monday that the two children in the minivan “appeared unharmed” and were taken to Callicoon Hospital as a precautionary measure.
“The driver of the full-sized school bus refused medical aid,” Chaboty said in a press release Monday. “The attendant was also taken to Callicoon Hospital to be checked out.”
“One child was treated and released, and the other child continues to be treated for their injuries,” said Kathleen Bressler, superintendent of the Sullivan West School District, in a statement posted on the school website.
The Rolling V minivan was taking two pre-schoolers to a Sullivan County program at the time of the accident, Bressler said.
“Our thoughts continue to go out to their families,” she said.
Joshua Potosek, the Sullivan County manager, said the accident “left us shocked and saddened.”
“Sullivan County extends deep condolences to the family of the driver who died from the crash,” he said in a statement. “Our hearts also reach out to the young children and their families who are enduring the trauma of surviving a serious accident and the many associated injuries, both physical and emotional.
“We appreciate our local school officials for their collaboration, and we thank our first responders—including our sheriff’s office, 911 center and public safety division—for capably undertaking a challenging rescue to extricate victims from the smashed vehicles. A scene involving injured children is among the most difficult to handle, and we are grateful to be served by these firefighters, EMS workers, police officers and dispatchers.”
Just last week, Rolling V Bus Corp., based in South Fallsburg, announced the results of the NYS Department of Transportation’s inspection of its fleet. “Once again Rolling V’s outstanding NYSDOT inspection score exceeded the expectations from the NYSDOT Carrier compliance division,” Rolling V said in a May 16 press release.
“We congratulate those operators who have achieved the goal of a 90 percent or greater pass rate,” said Chris Reebe, Rolling V maintenance director. “Your commendable performance indicates a strong dedication to safety and a commitment to sound maintenance standards and practices.”
Editor's note: This article has been updated from the original, which incorrectly stated that both buses were carrying students. Only the minivan was transporting students at the time of the accident. In addition, the minivan was not contracted by Sullivan West, as was mistakenly reported, but was "a Sullivan County van transporting for Sullivan County services," according to superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bressler. The young children in the minivan were from the community. The River Reporter regrets the errors.
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