2 students, pickup driver remain hospitalized after Lenawee County crash

Emergency personnel investigate the scene of a crash between a school bus and pickup truck Lenawee County.

WLEN-FM

Emergency personnel investigate the scene of a crash between a school bus and pickup truck Lenawee County.

ADRIAN, Mich. -- A pickup driver and two students remain hospitalized after a school bus crashed into the truck near this Lenawee County community.

A ProMedica spokesman said 15 patients were treated today at Bixby Medical Center, including four walk-in patients and 11 transported from the scene by ambulance.

One student, listed in good condition, will remain at Bixby overnight for observation. Another student in serious condition was transferred to a hospital at the University of Michigan, said Corp. Jeff Patterson of the Lenawee County Sheriff's Department.

The driver of the pickup, Tyler Smith, 21, of Onsted, Mich., had to be extricated from the truck. He was initially taken to Bixby and was then airlifted to Toledo Hospital where he was listed in fair condition Wednesday afternoon.

There were 25 students from the Onsted Community Schools district on the bus when the crash occurred about 7:15 a.m. today near the intersection of U.S. 223 and Onsted Highway, about 10 miles northwest of Adrian.

A look at the school bus involved in the accident with the pickup truck in Lenawee County.

According to Lenawee County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Wolfe, the pickup driver was pulling out of a gas station parking lot on U.S. 223 and, because two semis were obstructing his view, did not see the school bus that was traveling northwest on the road. The school bus hit the truck, causing it to spin and hit a parked vehicle.

Onsted Superintendent Mark Haag identified the school bus driver as Jennifer Sawicky-Leon, 45, of Adrian, who was not injured in the collision. Mr. Haag said authorities do not believe the bus driver was at fault.

Mr. Haag said students riding the bus were of various ages, from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Another bus picked up the students along the route who were still awaiting a ride to school. Bus service took place as normal after school today.

Mr. Haag said he went to the hospital today to talk with families, who were notified of the crash in coordination with the hospital.

“There’s obviously concern from students and staff, but as we’ve communicated what detail we can out, I think that’s helping,” he said.

School counselors met with some of the students involved in the crash. The district is cooperating with law enforcement’s investigation.

Adrian, the county seat, is about 35 miles northwest of Toledo.