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Troopers investigating incident where car hit Massena school bus, which overturned

Posted 12/23/16

By ANDY GARDNER MASSENA -- State police say there is an ongoing investigation into an incident where a Massena Central school bus was hit by an oncoming car and overturned, according to the district …

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Troopers investigating incident where car hit Massena school bus, which overturned

Posted

By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- State police say there is an ongoing investigation into an incident where a Massena Central school bus was hit by an oncoming car and overturned, according to the district superintendent.

Around 3:50 p.m. Thursday, a bus carrying nine students was hit on county Route 39 in Louisville by a 2001 Nissan Infinity driven by Garrett Griffin. State police said his age and hometown were not available.

“The vehicle lost control on the slippery roadway and … hit the bus on the driver side, forcing the bus off the road and into a ditch where it overturned,” Massena Central Superintendent Pat Brady said. “Our bus driver could not have avoided this situation. She did her job to keep our students safe, as did our monitor.”

He said the students sustained bumps and bruises and were shaken up, but otherwise okay.

“In terms of the students, eight of the nine were released to their parents at the scene. One was brought back to Nightingale Elementary and released by our building principal and head nurse to his family,” Brady said.

The bus driver and monitor were taken from the scene by ambulance to Massena Memorial Hospital. Brady said they are okay.

A passenger in Griffin’s vehicle sustained an arm injury. The person’s identity was not available, troopers said.

Brady said several passing motorists stopped to lend aid. The bus driver and monitor had to evacuate the students through the emergency back door.

“I do appreciate the help from passing motorists. Some came on-scene right away and helped our bus driver and bus monitor get students off the bus,” Brady said. “The students had to evacuate from the back of the bus because it was on its side. We appreciate the help from them, as well as emergency personnel and law enforcement.”

There have been no charges filed against Griffin, but their investigation continues, police said.