Police: D15 Bus Accident Remains Under Investigation, Driver from Barrington Hills Killed

Below is a press release from the Inverness Police Department:

On April 18, 2013 at approximately 3:45 p.m., the Inverness Police Department responded to a call of an accident on Palatine Road east of Highland Road.  Upon arrival, it was determined that a Nissan SUV hit a District 15 school bus that had just completed its route.

Palatine Rural Fire Department along with neighboring fire departments worked to remove the driver from the SUV.  After 24 minutes the driver, later identified as Steven Schmidt, age 50, of Barrington Hills, IL was removed from the vehicle and transported to Northwest Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the bus was transported to St. Alexius where he was treated and released.  

Preliminary Investigation through eyewitness accounts indicated the SUV was westbound on Palatine Road and crossed into the eastbound lanes prior to the collision. It appeared the bus driver was taking evasive action to avoid the SUV. Crash re-constructionists were called to the scene to assist in the investigation.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs played a part in the accident as toxicology results are pending.

This accident is currently under investigation.

A Palatine Patch reader said what she believes could be a contributing factor in the accident was that Palatine Road had running water across both lanes just west of Ela Road just after 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

"Usually when there is flooding here, the road is closed and diverted around this area. Instead, cars were turning around trying to avoid getting into the traffic jam to try and cross this area one car at a time yesterday [Thursday]," the reader stated.  

"I called my husband and son to tell them not to come down Palatine Road as I saw firsthand what drivers were doing. This call was 5 minutes before the accident happened," she said.

Original article published on Palatine Patch.