School Bus Driver Charged in Crash with Police Car During Field Trip

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Police said Friday a school bus driver's actions led to a crash with a police car during a recent school field trip.

The Fairfax County Public Schools bus was filled with students from the Mark Twain Middle School who were on a field trip when it crashed Thursday, April 7 on Backlick Road with a Fairfax County Police Department cruiser.

The bus passengers included students, teachers and chaperones; four were sent to the hospital after the crash.

Detectives of the Crash Reconstruction Unit have concluded their investigation of the crash, reviewing all evidence related to the case, which is being retained for court, to include bus video and various distance measurements, police said.

Detectives determined the bus driver’s view was obstructed prior to starting across Backlick Road, according to police. Detectives then consulted with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney due to the crash involving two county vehicles.

Subsequently, a summons was obtained for the bus driver, Linda Phillips, 58, of Alexandria, for failing to yield right-of-way at a stop sign, police said.

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