Five people, including three children, were killed in a collision between a school bus and a semi-truck on a highway in western Illinois on Monday, authorities said.
Capt. Jody Huffman of Illinois State Police Troop 6 said in a press conference that the bus was traveling eastbound on Illinois Route 24 when it “for unknown reasons” crossed the center line and entered the westbound lane, picking up dirt. He said he entered the path of a semi-truck. The collision caused both vehicles to burst into flames. The crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. in Rushville, a community of about 3,000 people about 90 miles west of Springfield.
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All four people on the Schuyler Technical School bus (three children and the driver) and the semi-truck driver were killed.
Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw told reporters: “There is no word I can say at this time.” “It’s devastating when a life is lost like this.”
The rear exit of the school bus, which was not involved in the reported accident, was photographed. (Joe Radle/Getty Images)
He said the tragedy hit the small, close-knit community particularly hard.
Schuyler Technical School canceled classes Tuesday and Wednesday due to the accident.
“It is with regret that our school community announces the loss of both a staff member and a student in a traffic accident involving a school bus this morning,” the district said in a statement. “Out of respect for all involved, names and further information will not be released at this time.”
The cause of the crash remained under investigation Monday afternoon. The victim’s name has not yet been released.
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Schuyler County Coroner Terry Millslagle said the victim’s body is being transported to Springfield for an autopsy.
