Vernon superintendent urges drivers to be careful after recent school bus crashes in Connecticut

Vernon’s superintendent wants drivers to slow down and pay attention after a crash sent five kids to the hospital. It’s the third school bus crash in Connecticut in less than 10 days.

“As a parent, this is the worst, having any type of bus accident, anytime where children are hurt,” Vernon school superintendent Dr. Joseph Macary said.

It wasn’t an easy day for him. He spent the evening at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center visiting with a student and their family after a crash involving a work van and a school bus on Route 83 and Pleasantview Drive.

“It’s hard to get a phone call that [says] my child has been in a bus accident. Please come to the hospital,” he said.

Vernon police say both drivers were taken to the hospital, along with five of the six students from Skinner Road School who were on the bus. Macary said he’s just relieved no one was seriously hurt.

“There are no life-threatening injuries, thank God. We ask that everybody keep them in their thoughts and prayers as we move forward,” he said.

Last Wednesday in Southbury, five students were injured after police say a car collided with a school bus on Route 67. Two of them had serious injuries after they were ejected from the bus.

The driver of the car was later charged with DUI.

The next day in Watertown, police say a school bus carrying ten students was rear-ended by an SUV on Guernesytown Road. No students were hurt.

Macary thinks distracted driving and the recent snowy weather could be contributing to these crashes.

“There are snow piles on corners. People have to be extra careful,” he said.

Other drivers agree.

“They should slow down because there are little kids usually,” Talia Da Costa of West Hartford said.

“Slow down. You got to take into consideration that there are people’s lives that you’re risking,” Julian Garcia-Maldonado of East Hartford said.

Macary has this message for any driver who sees a school bus.

“Drive on the streets like your kids are on the buses,” he said.

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