Schools
2nd School Bus Driver Cited For Careless Driving In 1 Week
This was the 3rd crash involving a school bus in Sarasota County and the 2nd school bus driver to be cited for careless driving in one week.
SARASOTA, FL -- One student was taken to the hospital as a precaution and a second school bus driver in Sarasota County was cited for careless driving Monday following a crash involving a school bus and a Hyundai SUV.
This was the third crash involving a school bus in Sarasota County and the second school bus driver to be cited for careless driving in less than a week, according to information released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Monday's incident occurred around 2:47 p.m. at Wilkinson Road and Wilkinson Woods Drive, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
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The driver of the bus, identified as 47-year-old Latoya Brown of Venice, "failed to slow," and was cited for careless driving, said Florida Highway Patrol.
As a result, troopers said the front end of the school bus collided with the rear of the SUV, which was driven by 29-year-old Jennifer Gaynor of Sarasota. She was not injured.
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On Thursday, another school bus driver in Sarasota County was cited for careless driving after the bus she was driving struck a car at a stop sign. The bus driver was identified as 61-year-old Ethel Ferebee of Osprey. The crash occurred at Pine Ranch East Road and Oak Bay Drive.
On Friday, a third school bus in Sarasota County was involved in a minor crash when the 16-year-old driver of a Toyota Corolla ran a stop sign and struck the bus on its side, according to Florida Highway Patrol. That crash occurred at Old Venice Road and Python Road around 3:40 p.m.
No injuries were reported in Friday's crash. There were 21 children aboard the bus at the time.
Troopers said the school bus in Monday's crash had 10 students aboard and was traveling west on Wilkinson Road approaching Wilkinson Woods Drive as the SUV was slowed down for a school zone up ahead.
"There were no skid marks but there was debris" from both vehicles in the area of the collision, said Florida Highway Patrol.
"One student was transported as a precautionary measure for a minor injury," troopers explained. "No other injuries were reported."
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