Two Dead After Florida School Bus Overturns in Collision

A 16-year-old student and a man driving to work were killed when a school bus overturned in Winter Haven, Florida, early Monday morning.

The collision occurred when a car driven by 23-year-old nursing student Maria Jimenez crossed the double yellow line and struck the side of the school bus near its rear wheels, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. The impact detached a tire from the bus, which then crashed head-on into an oncoming Jeep that caught fire.

Adinaluz Prieto Oyola, a 10th grader on the bus headed to Winter Haven High School, and DeShawn Smith, the driver of the Jeep, were pronounced dead at the scene. Oyola was scheduled to attend her first cheerleading practice on the day of the crash, according to Polk County Superintendent Frederick Heid. Smith was reportedly driving to work at the time and was unable to avoid the collision.

The bus was carrying nearly 40 people, most of whom were students. At least 26 students were transported to hospitals, with one in critical condition. The bus driver, Jessica Dye, 34, was praised by Sheriff Judd for her actions in the immediate aftermath of the crash, despite being pinned in her vehicle. She was not found to be at fault for the collision.

Jimenez, who was on her way to work at Lakeland Regional Health, fully cooperated with investigators and provided a voluntary blood draw. She told authorities she did not remember what happened, which Sheriff Judd suggested could be due to the stress of the event. No charges have been filed against Jimenez as the investigation continues.

A GoFundMe has been established to support Oyola's family.