2 School Buses With Children Aboard Crash In Newtown

NEWTOWN, CT — Two school buses on their way to drop off students at Reed Intermediate School collided in Newtown Thursday morning.

One driver — Peter Sandle, 56, of Sandy Hook — and one child were taken to the hospital by Newtown Ambulance for complaints of minor injuries, according to Lt. Scott Smith of the Newtown Police.

Both buses were traveling northbound on Boggs Hill Road and came to a stop at its intersection with Sugar Street, one behind the other. The crash occurred when the second bus accelerated into the rear of the lead bus before it had a chance to complete a right turn onto Sugar Street, Smith wrote in his report.

Both buses were moved onto West Street prior to police arrival. Each vehicle suffered functional damage, police said, but were later able to be driven from the scene. Both buses are owned by All Star Transportation.

Police issued an infraction to Sandle for failing to drive a reasonable distance apart, resulting in an accident.

Smith said a school administrator responded to the scene and assisted police officers with the care of all students involved. An additional All Star Transportation bus responded and transported all remaining students to Reed Intermediate School.