News Summary
A school bus accident in Chester County has led to the death of a 13-year-old student, Jose Maria Gonzales Linares, and injuries to many others. The bus was returning to Pine Ridge Middle School from a field trip when a tire blowout caused it to overturn on Interstate 77. Emergency services treated numerous students and adults, with some in critical condition. Local schools are offering support to affected families as investigations into the cause of the crash are underway, raising concerns about student safety during transportation.
Chester County – A tragic school bus crash on April 17 has claimed the life of a 13-year-old student, Jose Maria Gonzales Linares, who was an eighth grader at Pine Ridge Middle School. The incident occurred on Interstate 77 in Chester County, approximately 60 miles from the Lexington 2 school district. The school bus was returning from a field trip to the Charlotte area when a tire blew out, causing the vehicle to lose control and overturn.
At the time of the crash, the bus was carrying around 35 students and three adults. First responders found Jose Maria at the rear of the bus, where he died from blunt force trauma, according to the Chester County Coroner. The bus overturned after colliding with a guardrail following the tire malfunction.
A total of 38 individuals, including students from the field trip, were treated at local hospitals for a variety of injuries. Some of the passengers were in critical condition, while others sustained less severe injuries. Chester County Emergency Management reported that three victims were transported via helicopter to medical facilities, and the remaining passengers were taken to five different hospitals: Atrium, Prisma Main, MUSC Northeast, Piedmont, and MUSC Chester.
As of Saturday, all surviving victims had been discharged from hospitals, marking a relief amid the tragedy that unfolded on that day. The field trip had involved three school buses in total, and some passengers from the other buses experienced injuries while swerving to avoid a collision with the overturned vehicle.
In response to the devastating news, Lexington 2 Superintendent expressed condolences for the family of the deceased student. The district is focusing on providing support to students and families affected by the incident. Emotional support services have been put in place to help those grieving or traumatized by the crash.
Governor Henry McMaster, along with State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver, also expressed their condolences and prayers for everyone affected by the accident. Their heartfelt sentiments reflect the community’s mourning as it grapples with the loss of a young life in such a tragic manner.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently investigating the crash, looking into various factors that may have contributed to this unfortunate event, including the details surrounding the tire blowout and subsequent loss of control experienced by the bus driver. A thorough investigation will aim to clarify the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking incident.
The tragedy has prompted discussions regarding student safety during school transportation, as well as the importance of regular vehicle maintenance checks for school buses. Communities are coming together to advocate for improved safety measures to ensure such a disaster does not happen again.
The local community continues to rally around the family of Jose Maria as they navigate this profoundly challenging time. School officials, local leaders, and residents are uniting to pay tribute to the bright young student whose life was cut short far too soon. Support services remain available to all who are affected, as healing begins in the wake of this devastating loss.
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Additional Resources
- WISTV: All students injured in Chester County school bus crash released from hospital
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chester County
- WBTV: 13-year-old boy killed in Chester County school bus crash, coroner says
- Google Search: Chester County school bus crash
- ABC News: School bus overturns in Chester County, South Carolina
- Google News: Chester County school bus accident
- WSOC TV: Chester County bus crash victims released from hospitals
- Google Scholar: Chester County school bus crash
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The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
