FHP: School Bus Driver Backed Into Pickup Truck

August 25, 2020

There were no injuries when a school bus driver backed into a pickup truck Tuesday afternoon in Cottage Hill.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the 62-year old driver of Escambia County School District bus 13-14 missed a designated bus stop on William Ditch Road near Glenna Lane.

“The driver of the bus then placed the bus in reverse in traveled backwards and collided into a pickup truck that had stopped directly behind the bus,” according to a FHP report.

There were 11 Tate High School students on the bus at the time of the wreck.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Comments

14 Responses to “FHP: School Bus Driver Backed Into Pickup Truck”

  1. Puddin on August 28th, 2020 10:25 pm

    Ok y’all, buses are not supposed to back up on main roads. If you miss a stop, you move on and come back to it. Those are the rules.
    That said, Tuesday was the 2nd day of school after 5 months off. Skills get lost when you’re out of practice for that long. Yes, the bus driver made a mistake. No one was hurt and I’m sure the driver wont make that mistake ever again. Just chill out. Consider if you were the driver.
    Glad no one was hurt. Sorry for the truck driver.

  2. Reader on August 26th, 2020 4:24 pm

    Please…all you keyboard experts…please show me the Florida law that says it’s OK for ANY vehicle to back up in the middle of the road, except for emergency vehicles?

    100% the bus driver’s fault, as FHP said. There’s nothing that gives the school bus driver the right to back up in the road. Period.

  3. SJ on August 26th, 2020 3:35 pm

    Why don’t school buses have a sign on them saying “Stay back 100 feet when stopped” and have backup cameras??? It is impossible to see right behind the bus when driving, only depending on your sideview mirrors especially when a vehicle is right up on the back of the bus.
    This is on the safety director for the school bus fleet in this county! Maybe one of the companies that manufacture backup cameras for motor homes could give the county a discount on them… for the kids safety!!

  4. cinndee on August 26th, 2020 1:12 pm

    @James…. Backup lights would be the first clue if you are paying attention. Blow horn would be the second thing you would do.

  5. Mike on August 26th, 2020 11:21 am

    Why can’t the Busses have backup cameras on them, it would make it easier for the drivers to back them up, my truck’s not that big but, I still can’t see a smaller car if it’s behind me.

  6. ALEX on August 26th, 2020 11:04 am

    When i see a school bus i give it a wide berth, i do not tailgate or stop close to the bus. remember these busses are full of precious cargo and we must do everything in our power to keep them safe. THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS NOT AT FAULT but remember to stay clear of school busses, they are hard to drive and the drivers cannot always see everything around them. too many people disrespect these big yellow hard to see crates full of children.

  7. AAM on August 26th, 2020 8:58 am

    People, this is called an accident. Could it be prevented? Yes
    The school board will investigate but doubtful will let this driver go. But go ahead and cast that stone if it makes you feel better.

  8. Karen on August 26th, 2020 8:51 am

    @Nod how in the world is it the truck drivers fault? You must be one of the “blame the other guy” cause I didn’t do anything wrong it was him not me.

  9. Lita Mack on August 26th, 2020 8:43 am

    I know the driver of the truck and I can guarantee he was paying attention, instead of assuming or pointing blame be thankful no one was hurt.

  10. ADB on August 25th, 2020 11:24 pm

    Looks like the school board will be hiring a new bus driver. I hope this bus driver is not typical of who is hauling our kids around.

  11. James on August 25th, 2020 10:20 pm

    @nod…. how can you blame the pickup truck, when the bus back into the truck? The bus driver missed the designated stop put the bus in reverse and backed up into the truck. School bus stops are not always marked as our public or city buses. So there was no way for the driver of the truck to know in the bus was going to back up. This is all on the bus driver

  12. A Alex on August 25th, 2020 8:00 pm

    Appears Pete Moore got his nose bent

  13. Nod on August 25th, 2020 7:05 pm

    I would blame the truck because we are supposed to be on the lookout, a special lookout for those big yellow school busses with our children on them. Glad no one was hurt. Be careful out there.

  14. jordan on August 25th, 2020 6:47 pm

    Well, we must be back to normal – our first wreck with a school bus