ORANGE COUNTY -
A Department of Public Safety spokesperson told 12News that no students were injured in a school bus accident with an 18-wheeler Thursday morning on Highway 87, near FM 1006. This is close to the Orange County Airport.
The accident happened just after 10 a.m. Troopers say the bus was driving south on Highway 87 around 10 a.m. An 18-wheeler owned by United Initiators was turning onto Highway 87 from FM 1006 and the driver took too wide of a turn. The bus driver tried to avoid hitting the large truck, but the bus was clipped. The impact shattered three windows on the bus.
A news release issued late Thursday morning says the driver of the 18-wheeler, Troy Chavis, 44, of Missouri City, Texas, was uninjured. Chavis will be cited for unsafe lane change.
Parents who were called and sent text messages by students on the bus quickly began arriving.
"When she gave me the phone call, she said 'Mom, we've been in an accident. We've been hit by an 18-wheeler," said Helen Vontoure, a parent to a freshman at West Orange-Stark high school.
"I saw the bus. It was damaged with windows broken. I just kind of got scared. I was wondering where she was sitting because she usually sits at the front of the bus," said Vontoure.
Amber Branch also received a phone call from her daughter. She told 12News, "I was really nervous and really scared. But, when I got here, everybody was okay and I just know God is very good."
Some of the students left the scene with their parents. Others loaded a second bus which arrived around 10:30 a.m.
A coordinator with a Junior Achievement event being held at the Rockin' A Cafe in Beaumont said the bus was carrying students from the West Orange-Cove CISD and was on its way to the event.
Denise Richter with Acadian Ambulance told 12News that six ambulances were initially dispatched to the scene because the accident involved a school bus. All six were told to stand down because there were no injuries.
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