RUSHVILLE, IL – A devastating accident involving a school bus and a semitruck in western Illinois led to the tragic loss of five lives, including three children. The fiery collision occurred when the bus from Schuyler-Industry Schools veered across the center line, directly into the path of a semitruck transporting sand.
The collision resulted in an immediate blaze, engulfing both vehicles on U.S. Route 24 near Rushville, a small community located approximately 60 miles west of Springfield. The Illinois State Police, in their preliminary report, stated that the cause behind the bus crossing into the opposing lane remains unknown.
The victims of the catastrophic accident were identified as the drivers of both vehicles and three children who were passengers on the bus. All four individuals aboard the bus, including the driver, were killed, as was the truck driver.
The Schuyler County coroner identified the young victims as Maria Miller, 5, Andrew Miller, 3, and Noah Driscoll, 3, all residents of Rushville. The drivers were identified as Angela Spiker, 57, the bus driver from Rushville, and David Coufal, 72, the truck driver from Browning, Illinois.
In response to the tragedy, Schuyler-Industry Schools announced the cancellation of classes for two days. The school district expressed its sorrow over the loss of staff and students in a heartfelt statement.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Illinois State Police are currently investigating the cause of the crash. Autopsies will be performed on the victims in Springfield, as stated by the county coroner.