15 people hurt in Lenawee Co. bus crash

Pickup collides with school bus during its morning route

Emergency personnel investigate the scene Wed-nesday of a crash between a school bus and pickup truck in Lenawee County. Three people remain hospitalized.

ADRIAN — A pickup driver and two students remained hospitalized Wednesday night after authorities say the truck pulled out into traffic and was struck by a school bus transporting Onsted Community Schools students to class near this Lenawee County community.

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

One student, listed in good condition, was to remain at Bixby overnight for observation. Another student in serious condition was transferred to a hospital at the University of Michigan, said Cpl. Jeff Patterson of the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office. Their ages and grades were not available.

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 late Wednesday.

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

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.

Mr. Haag said he went to the hospital Wednesday 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.

Contact Mike Sigov at: sigov@theblade.com, 419-724-6089, or on Twitter @mikesigovblade.