CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A trailer filled with mulch stopped a school bus carrying 16 students from crashing into a home in Signal Mountain on Wednesday.
According to Local 3 News in Chattanooga, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said a Signal Mountain Middle-High School student was hurt after the bus drove off the road into a ditch and lost control during the foggy drive around 6:50 a.m. Hamilton County Schools said Bus 152 had a "minor accident" while turning a corner on Rolling Meadows Drive. A neighbor told Local 3 News that vehicles often hit that ditch.
The preliminary investigation showed the bus driver, Margaret Miles, was turning onto Rolling Meadows Drive from Corral Road. Deputies said the impact knocked the unbuckled driver out of her seat.
The bus then traveled a couple of yards before it crashed into a mulch trailer. HCSO said the bus "barely touched" the house, causing minor damage.
HCSO said the bus driver was cited for not wearing a seatbelt and failure to exercise due care.
No one was seriously hurt. HCSO said the injured student was picked up by a parent after they hit their head on the bus window during the crash.
Just after 7:45 am on Wednesday, Signal Mountain Middle-High School parents received an email from the school saying in part:
"Emergency services are on the scene, and every student is being evaluated. All passengers are safe, and at this time, only one child is reporting a minor injury. All parents of children on the bus are being contacted. Once students are checked out, another bus will complete the route to school."
Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Justin Robertson released the following statement after the crash:
"Earlier today, a contractor-operated school bus carrying students to Signal Mountain Middle/High School was involved in an accident. Most importantly, we are thankful that everyone aboard the bus is safe. We are proud of the students on board the bus for remaining calm and for taking action to call for assistance following the accident.
HCS is fully cooperating with law enforcement on their investigation of this morning’s accident. The driver has been cited for not following proper procedures, and appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken by the school district. Additionally, we will review the incident through a continuous improvement lens to support ongoing growth.
School buses are an essential part of what we do as a school district. Each day, our buses run 250 routes and cover more than 22,000 miles. All of our drivers receive dedicated training on the processes, procedures, and laws of operating a school bus and transporting our students, and they are expected to implement these measures according to our guidance. We will continue to take the steps necessary to ensure our students are transported safely every day."
Deral and Valarie Smith are the owners of the home.
"I was sleeping at the time then heard a big thump and felt a big thump," Deral said.
"We're thankful no one was injured," Valarie said. "It could have been a lot worse."
They said their trailer in the driveway was a blessing in disguise.
"I had just picked up all that mulch, and all the weight in there definitely slowed that bus down before it got to the house," Deral said.
There was only minor damage to the Smith's home.
Tugg Embry is a sophomore at Signal Mountain Middle High School. He was waiting for the bus outside of his home when he watched the incident happen.
"I was standing... right next to my mailbox, so what's that? Like 20 feet? So not too far, but that's still pretty close," Embry said. "She hit that ditch and went straight into their house. It was crazy! I was shaking for like half an hour."
Embry said his friends were on the bus.
"My girlfriend and her sister were on there. My girlfriend's sister hit her head," Embry said. "I guess she's okay."
Deral cautioned all drivers to stay alert during foggy conditions.
"It's foggy out here," Deral Smith said. "It's one of those typical mornings where you got to be careful when you're driving."
