UPDATED: Three children, two adults dead after school bus crash in Schuyler County

Posted on March 11, 2024
The crash remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time, the state police said. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By WMBD

SCHUYLER – The Schuyler County Coroner Terry Millslagle has identified the five who died after a two-vehicle crash that involved a school bus and a semi-truck on Monday.

According to Illinois State Police, the coroner has identified the victims as:

  • 72-year-old David Coufal of Browning Ill.
  • 57-year-old Angela Spiker from Rushville, Ill.
  • 5-year-old Maria Miller from Rushville, Ill.
  • 3-year-old Andrew Miller from Rushville, Ill.
  • 3-year-old Noah Driscoll from Rushville, Ill.

UPDATED: (4:24 p.m.) — School officials with the Schuyler Industry School District said there will be no classes Tuesday and Wednesday in the wake of a deadly school bus crash.

On their Facebook page, the district said, “counselors and support staff will still be available for students and teachers during this very difficult time.”

The post also said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and our community. Out of respect for everyone involved, no names or further information will be released at this time. School will not be in session tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12 and Wednesday, March 13.”

___________________________________________________________________

RUSHVILLE, Ill. (WMBD) — Three children and two adults are dead after a school bus collided with a semi tractor-trailer truck late Monday morning.

The Illinois State Police said the accident happened on U.S. Route 24 as it intersects with Parkview Road in Schuyler County. That’s about 90 minutes southwest of Peoria.

The crash happened just after 11:30 a.m. The school bus was transporting three children at the time of the crash. The three children, as well as both drivers, were pronounced dead at scene, according to the state police.

Preliminary information indicates the bus was traveling east on Route 24 and for an unknown reason crossed over into the west bound lanes in front of the semi truck. The vehicles crashed and the vehicles became engulfed in flames, according to the state police.

The crash remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time, the state police said.

WMBD can be reached at [email protected].

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