2 others injured in bus accident, mothers say

Published 11:56 am Friday, February 10, 2017

A collision Monday on Glasgow Road involving a Warren County Public Schools bus injured at least two more students than was initially reported by officials, according to the students’ mothers.

Holly Nesbitt, the mother of 12-year-old Clara Nesbitt, said her daughter was taken to the hospital Tuesday morning after she complained about difficulty focusing her eyes and a splitting headache. Clara was ultimately diagnosed with a minor concussion and whiplash.

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Rebecca Van Meter, the mother of 15-year-old Trinity Van Meter, said she took her daughter to the emergency room later Monday afternoon after she complained of ear pain. The pain was deemed a minor injury.

Stephen Harmon, spokesman for the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, said the investigation of the accident is ongoing. Deputies have followed up with anyone who reported injuries at the scene or afterward.

“We’re treating it no different than any other collision,” he said.

Morgan Watson, spokeswoman for Warren County Public Schools, said a mother of one of the students injured in the accident called her Thursday but she declined to say who. Watson said John Odom, the director of transportation for the district, said he will discuss the possibility of added signage on Glasgow Road with the sheriff’s office to vocalize the mother’s concerns.

Initially, only one student – 15-year-old Lea Gonzalez – was reported to be transported for medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

The bus, which was carrying 22 students, collided with a Freightliner truck owned by Ohio-based Total Distribution and driven by Amber Arnold, 26, of Ohio. Both the school bus driver, Errol Page, 69, of Bowling Green, and Arnold told the WCSO they collided mirrors while traveling in opposite directions on Glasgow Road. Windows and mirrors were broken on each vehicle, according to a media release distributed by WCSO on Tuesday.

On Monday, the day of the accident, reports were that one student was taken to the hospital after complaining of hitting her head during a bus accident outside of Oakland Elementary School.

The bus, No. 2743, was carrying middle and high school students when it was struck on the driver’s side. The driver’s side window was cracked in a spider-web pattern and its side mirror was damaged.

Watson, at the time, said no other students reported injuries.

— Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.