Update: Bus Driver Issued Citation in Summerfield Crash

Update Sept. 10, 3 p.m.: A Hillsborough County school bus driver was issued a citation for following too closely following a two-bus crash Wednesday morning on Big Bend Road near Summerfield Crossing Boulevard.

The accident occurred just after 9 a.m. when two buses headed to Eisenhower Middle School were following behind a Ford F-350 pickup truck towing a utility trailer. The truck stopped to yield for a fire truck with emergency lights flashing that was pulling out of the station at Summerfield Crossing. The first bus was able to stop behind the truck, but the second wasn’t, wrote Det. Larry McKinnon in an email to media.

McKinnon said the second bus rear ended the first, causing it to slide into the back of the trailer.

The sheriff’s office says at least 17 students and both bus drivers received minor injuries. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue has the number at 19 students and both drivers. The driver of the pickup was not injured, but the vehicle did suffer damage.

German A. Acosta, 68, of Gibsonton, the driver of the second bus, has been cited for following too closely.

The sheriff’s office is continuing its investigation.

Earlier:

A Wednesday morning trip to school was anything but ordinary for 50 students and two bus drivers from Eisenhower Middle School.

According to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, two buses on the way to the school were involved in a crash on Big Bend Road near Summerfield Crossing Boulevard.

Jessica Coy, fire rescue spokeswoman, described the accident as minor in an email to media. She said 50 students and two bus drivers were involved in the accident. Fifteen students and both bus drivers were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries, she said. Four students were picked up by parents to be checked out by their family physicians.

All other students were taken by a third bus to the school following the wreck.

It is unclear at this time what caused the accident.

Stay with Patch for updates as they become available

Photo Credit: A Wednesday morning bus crash left 21 people with minor injuries. Photo courtesy of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue