U.S. 35 reopens after bus crash sends 15 to hospital

UPDATE@ 1:21 p.m.:

The intersection of U.S. 35 and Third Street has been reopened in Jefferson Twp. after a car crashed into a bus Thursday morning.

UPDATE @ 11:02 a.m.:

The intersection of U.S. 35 and Third Street is closed in Jefferson Twp. following a two-vehicle accident.

U.S. 35 west is shut down at Infirmary Road.

Third Street is close at Lansdown Road for traffic head west and South Hampton Avenue for traffic heading east.

U.S. 49 is shut down at Hoover Avenue.

More than a dozen people were taken to the hospital after a car struck a group home bus.

Fifteen people total were taken to the hospital, including an adult in the car and the driver of the bus, according to Jefferson Twp. Battalion Chief Gregory Wilcox.

The two have serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

>> PHOTOS: Crash sends 15 people to hospital

Two children in the car and 11 passengers on the bus were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

“They were minor injuries, but still needed to be checked out,” said Wilcox.

The passengers on the bus were initially reported as children, but their ages are unknown.

In a 911 call, a woman told the dispatcher that the driver of the car was “totally out” and that the car was smoking.

Another person said there were about 10 people on the bus.

“And kids,” she told the dispatcher. “It looks like they might be handicapped. They’re going to need a lot of medics.”

Nine jurisdictions responded to the crash, as well as every Jefferson Twp. medic.

“The weather probably a played a factor [in the crash],” said Wilcox. “The deputies will investigate that but in this type of the weather...just slow down and watch your speed and pay attention to the traffic lights.”

UPDATE @ 10:37 a.m.:

Children are being taken off a bus involved in a crash at Third Street and U.S. 35.

The company that owns the bus, Community Concepts Inc., assists people with developmental disabilities, according to its website.

Traffic is slow in the area. One lane is open on U.S. 35 heading north.

INITIAL REPORT: 

At least 10 medic units have been called to a crash at U.S. 35 and Third Street in Jefferson Twp.

The crash was reported around 9 a.m. and involves a bus and a car.

The bus is from Community Concepts Inc., which is based in Mason. There were children on the bus, however none of the injuries to the children were considered serious, according to investigators.

The driver of the car suffered serious injuries, authorities said.

We’re working to learn who may have been at fault in the crash.

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