LAKE PLACID, FLORIDA (December 13, 2017) – A school bus was involved in a serious accident on U.S. 27 on Wednesday morning, according to a local news source. (map)
The accident happened early Wednesday on U.S. 27, near Lake Ridge Drive. A Highlands County school bus carrying 39 students and driver Selena Hawthorne. Hawthorne had pulled over to a bus stop on the busy highway when a semi truck crashed into the back of the bus, mangling the rear. The impact pushed the bus into a wooded area and it flipped over onto its side.
All 39 students escaped alive, but two were airlifted from the scene to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries including broken bones. The bus stop is reportedly directly on the highway and has no turn off, and concern has been expressed multiple times over the location. One of the first responders indicated that the bus driver, 59 year old Selena Hawthorne, had expressed heavy concern over the location before.
The Highlands County School District has not released a statement at this time. The semi truck that crashed into the school bus belongs to Candy Trucking LLC, based in Orlando Florida. The company has only been in business since June of this year, and has seven violations on record, 6 of which were reportedly related to brakes. It is unknown if the truck involved in Wednesday’s accident experienced any braking issues prior to the collision. The investigation is ongoing at this time to determine cause and liability.
“Our firms prayers are with all parties involved in this devastating collision,” said the attorneys from HWG Law. “We wish a swift and steady recovery to all students injured in this accident.”
At HWG Law, we provide the best legal representation that will help you win a settlement. We will work hard to obtain the just compensation for your injuries, losses and suffering and to pursue the justice you deserve. You are not alone in this. We also offer to retrieve the accident report for you, entirely free of charge… whether you retain our firm or not. Call us at (877) 541-2111 for a free consultation and speak with our lawyers today.
