3 Children, 2 Adults Killed In IL School Bus Crash With Semi: Police

RUSHVILLE, IL — Three young children and two adults were killed when a school bus and a semitrailer crashed Monday in the rural Illinois community of Rushville, according to police.

The victims were identified as 3-year-old Noah Driscoll of Rushville, 3-year-old Andrew Miller of Rushville, 5-year-old Maria Miller of Rushville, 57-year-old Angela Spiker of Rushville and 72-year-old David Coufal of Browning, police said, citing the Schuyler County coroner.

"There's not really words at this time that can be said," Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw told reporters. "When you have a loss of life like this, it's devastating.”

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Route 24 west of Parkview Road when the eastbound bus crossed over into the westbound lanes in front of the semi, the truck struck the bus, and both vehicles were engulfed in flames, according to police. The semi was carrying sand, police said.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce our school community has lost both staff and students in the traffic incident involving one of our school buses this morning,” Schuyler-Industry Schools said in a social media post. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and our community.”

School will not be in session Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the district, which added counselors and support staff would be available for teachers and students.

The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to conduct a safety investigation with state police, the agency said late Monday on X.

Located about 60 miles west of Springfield, Rushville has a population of around 3,000.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.