News Summary
Authorities are investigating a tragic school bus crash in Lexington where a 13-year-old boy lost his life and 38 others were hospitalized. The bus driver reported hearing a loud noise just before losing control, leading to an overturn. Maintenance records indicate previous tire problems, raising questions about safety protocols. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is conducting an extensive investigation into the mechanical reliability of the bus and its maintenance history as the community wrestles with the implications of the incident.
Lexington, South Carolina – School Bus Crash Investigation Uncovers Tire Problems
Authorities are investigating a tragic bus crash that occurred on April 17, 2025, involving a Lexington School District 2 bus on Interstate 77 in Chester County, South Carolina. The crash resulted in the death of 13-year-old Jose Maria Gonzales Linares, an eighth grader at Pine Ridge Middle School. Additionally, 38 other individuals, including students and adult chaperones, required hospitalization for injuries sustained during the incident.
At the time of the crash, the bus was transporting students back from a field trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Four days post-accident, the driver provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the crash in a letter that has since been released to the media as part of a public records request.
Events Leading to the Crash
The driver noted that he conducted a pre-trip inspection of the bus at 6:20 a.m. on April 17, confirming that all tires were deemed safe for travel. However, shortly before the crash, as the bus approached mile marker 55 and passed a semi-truck, the driver heard a loud “boom” originating from the front passenger side of the vehicle.
Following the noise, the driver experienced significant difficulty steering the bus, leading him to collide with a guardrail. This collision caused the bus to overturn, landing on its right side. The bus was one of three vehicles from the school district transporting students at the time.
Maintenance Records and Previous Incidents
Investigators have revealed concerning details from the maintenance records of the bus involved in the crash. The documentation indicates a history of tire-related issues with this particular vehicle. Notably, there was a prior incident in June 2023 involving a tire blowout that caused the bus to veer off the road. In addition, a separate blowout was reported on April 3, 2025, when a metal rod punctured a tire’s sidewall.
These records have raised questions about the bus’s condition leading up to the crash and whether proper maintenance protocols were followed. The school district has refrained from making further statements on the matter, citing an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Investigation Status
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently conducting an extensive investigation into the crash, focusing on the mechanical reliability of the bus and the adequacy of its maintenance history. Over 200 pages of documentation have been released, comprising repair records, inspection reports, and the driver’s personal account detailing the events of the tragic day.
As details continue to emerge, the Lexington School District and the wider community are grappling with the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident. The loss of a young life has not only devastated the family and close friends of Jose Maria Gonzales Linares but has also raised significant concerns about student safety in school transportation.
The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with further information related to the incident to come forward.
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Additional Resources
- ABC Columbia: Bus Driver’s Version of Chester County Crash
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- WSOC TV: School Bus Driver Recalls Sounds Before Crash
- Google Search: Chester County School Bus Crash
- WBTV: School Bus Had History of Tire Problems
- Google Scholar: School Bus Safety
- QC News: Chester County School Bus Crash Documents
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Transportation
- WIS TV: Records Show Bus Had History of Problems
- Google News: Bus Crash Investigation
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
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.
