LITCHFIELD, IL (KTVI) – Illinois State Police say the school bus driver in Monday’s accident near Litchfield was driving too fast when he ran into the back of a semi with his loaded school bus.
The accident sent ten people, including the bus driver to the hospital Monday. Authorities say Henry Jaeger of Highland, IL was driving in the southbound lanes of Interstate 55 when the accident happen. Police say the semi truck driver slowed down for construction traffic.
That’s when the school bus rear-ended the semi-truck’s trailer. 41 people were on the bus including the driver, chaperons and 33 students from Grantfork Upper Elementary School near Highland, IL.
One of the injured students could now need surgery. Jessica Davis, 12, was airlifted from the accident scene and is said to be in fair condition, but she has a broken leg that will most likely require surgery. Davis was apparently in the front part of the school bus when the crash happened. Ten others on board were also taken to the hospital.
Investigators believe all of the injuries were non-life threatening. Jaeger has been charged with Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident
