COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Minor injuries were reported Tuesday morning when a car sideswiped a Coldwater School Bus that was transporting fifth grade band students from Lakeland Elementary School in the southern part of the Business Loop I-69 construction zone.
The Branch County Sheriff’s Department says the accident happened at about 8:15 a.m. on Fenn Road west of I-69.
Deputies say the car which was driven by Julie Vanbuskirk of Coldwater was waiting to turn left in the construction zone. She then drove into the path of the east bound school bus which was driven by Loralie Fields of Coldwater.
There were 24 passengers on the bus.
Coldwater School Superintendent Terry Boguth said the driver’s side of the bus was sideswiped and that their bus driver was not at fault.
She said some of the students complained of such things as sore ribs and shoulders. Some parents wanted to take their children to the chiropractor, pediatrician or emergency room to get checked out and those decisions were supported by the district.
Boguth said parents of the students on the bus got a robo call telling them about the accident which is still being investigated by the Sheriff’s Department.
