UPDATE: October 6th, 2022 (6:30 p.m.)
BY: FORREST R. CHURCH, PUBLISHER
& OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL (MEDIA PRESS RELEASE)
MADISON TOWNSHIP, OHIO – The Defiance Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a school bus crash that occurred on October 6th, 2022 at approximately 11:15 a.m.
The crash occurred on County Road 16 at the US Route 20 intersection in Madison Township, Williams County.
Aaron D. Mullins, age 52, of Pioneer, Ohio who was later charged with failure to yield, was driving a 2003 Blue Bird School Bus south on County Road 16 when he approached the stop sign at US Highway 20. Mr. Mullins then entered the intersection from the stop sign.
According to the official Ohio State Highway Patrol media release, the North Central School Bus was struck by a 2011 Kenworth semi-truck, which was eastbound on US Highway 20. The semi-truck was driven by Terry L. Brehm, age 67 of Fayette, Ohio.
According to post-accident testimony, the bus struck the rear semi-trailer near the first axle after pulling out of the intersection, approximately 9 feet from the rear of the trailer.
The North Central School bus was carrying seven children plus Mr. Mullins. Mr. Brehm was the lone occupant in the semi-truck.
Emergency personnel responded to the crash scene where the children and other crash occupants were evaluated.
No injuries were reported according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, though one youth was taken to the ER for follow-up evaluation concerning arm pain.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Williams County Sheriff’s Office, Williams County EMS, Madison Kunkle Fire Department, Pioneer Fire Department, North Central Schools, and Hutches’ Towing.
According to the Ohio Highway Patrol Media Release, Mr. Mullins was cited at the Bryan Municipal Court for failure to yield from a stop sign, and the crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to always ensure intersections are clear before proceeding through stop signs and red lights.
In a phone interview with The Village Reporter at 1:45 p.m., Superintendent Bute was unable to comment about the active investigation but did confirm the bus sustained front-end damage. More importantly, Mr. Bute confirmed all students and personnel were not injured in the accident.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol would like to encourage drivers to look several times before entering an intersection.
