3 School Bus Collision At I-55 Bridge Injures 11 Reed-Custer Children

BRAIDWOOD — The Braidwood Police Department said that Tuesday morning's crash involving three separate Reed-Custer school buses, all traveling along Interstate 55, does not involve any serious injuries. Students were relocated away from I-55 northbound to a nearby gas station with help from Illinois State Police.

According to the Illinois State Police, ISP Troop 3 responded to a multi-unit crash involving three school buses at 8:35 a.m. on northbound I-55. Eleven children were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. Additional school buses relocated all remaining passengers to the Love’s gas station, 23801 W. Bluff Road in Channahon.

The crash happened near the Des Plaines River Bridge over I-55. State police said three buses, all 2024 Yellow IC School Buses, were traveling north in the right lane when traffic slowed to a stop, and the driver of the rear bus was unable to stop in time and struck the back of the second bus — causing it to strike the rear of the third bus.

The driver of the first bus was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, according to state police.

"We are currently waiting on new school buses to do so. Once students have been removed from Interstate 55 we will announce a reunification location," Braidwood police announced before 10 a.m. on Facebook.

As of just after noon, state police said all lanes had reopened, and all remaining passengers were accounted for and returned to their school for release to their parents.

One person commented on the Braidwood police Facebook page, "I sure hope the 8th graders get a rain check for the 6 flags trip. Mostly happy there are no major injuries, sending good vibes."

When one person named Jeremy complained, "Why not get the students off the highway with the buses that are there? Bluff Road exit is right up the road," the Braidwood police department responded to that person's comment: "Two of three buses were not driveable. The one bus that was drivable relocated those students off the highway."

A story posted by Joliet's news radio station AM-1340 WJOL was headlined, "Minor Injuries Reported Following Three School Buses In a Fender Bender."