Collision knocks school bus over near Molalla, no major injuries
NEAR MOLALLA, Ore. – A school bus was knocked over onto its side after being hit by a semitrailer Tuesday at the intersection of South Gibson and Kropf roads.
According to Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputy Marcus Mendoza, there were two students, 12- and 13- year-old girls, on the bus, and they were taken to the hospital after they complained of pain. Their injuries were not life-threatening.
He said the bus driver stopped at the stop sign, thought the road was clear and then drove into the intersection. But the driver didn't see the truck until it was too late.
The empty truck, from a dairy, had the right of way, Mendoza said, and the driver said he was going about 40 mph when the bus pulled in front of him. He could not stop in time and the wet pavement and light rain did not help matters.
The truck hit the side the girls were sitting and the collision knocked the bus over. The truck jackknifed.
From Jet Ranger 2 a large dent could be seen in the right side of the bus near the rear wheels.
The accident happened just before 3:30 p.m. and Mendoza said the bus driver was cited for failing to properly obey a traffic control device.
The bus was from the Molalla River School District.
Nifty trick to be T boned by a semi TRAILER. I'd be willing to bet that the bus was hit by a semi tractor pulling an empty trailer. New photos confirm this.
Â
I do stand corrected though. The bus didn't blow the stop sign, but stopped and then pulled out in front of the truck. Ironically, if the bus driver had blown the stop they probably would have made it across without being hit.
Â
P.S. Thanks for the google earth link. It makes sense now why the tractor is pointed West.
Witnesses describe the sound of the public school bus turning over as "Cha-Ching!"
4 way stop.  How did the truck get going fast enough to create that kind of damage.  I think they both ran the stop.
@Hiker123 If memory serves me correct it's only a two-way stop sign at that intersection. Not a four-way
Looks like someone ran a stop sign and was good, old fashioned T boned.
Â
Hope the truck drive and the kids are fine. The only reason the kids got knocked around is the idea that school buses don't need passenger seat belts.
"He said the preliminary investigation shows the bus driver slowed down but did not proceed safely at a stop sign. The truck, from a dairy, had the right of way." Â Â (from the story)
Â
Kinda sounds like the bus driver made a rather serious error... Â I hope the kids will be OK...Â
Â
Be extra-careful out there, people... Â you might be the world's safest driver, but that doesn't mean that the driver in front of / behind you / next to you won't do something stupid ... Â and this weather isn't helping, either! Â Â Stay safe, everybody..!
 @margay1 Yes..we need to watch out for kids.  Especially when their driving. Â