SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2007

Bus Driver Could Face Charges
June 1, 2007

Sean Carroll (Batavia, N.Y.) -- New York state police said a school bus driver might face charges after an accident with a dump truck in Genesee County on Wednesday morning.

Police said the truck was trying to make a left turn when the LeRoy School District mini bus rear-ended it on Route 33 near Batavia around 10:30 a.m.

Three people were airlifted to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo: the bus driver, John Peck, 69, Jeremy Perry, 18, and Sue Lawrence, 31. Rescuers used the "jaws of life" to free the three from the wreckage.

The hospital said the three are listed in fair condition. The 11 others onboard were treated and released from area hospitals.

The LeRoy High School students and three teachers were on a field trip to a veterinary clinic in nearby Corfu.

Students Grateful to Walk Out
The other students on the bus and their families are thankful that the accident wasn't worse.

Lynette Cook’s 18-year-old daughter, Rae, got out with only a few scratches.

"Never forget to say “I love you” to your kids, because your kids are really important to you. They could be here today and gone tomorrow, but thank God she's here with me” Lynette Cook said.

Rae Cook remembers being thrown from her seat. She said the girl sitting next to her started bleeding.

"I didn't care much about myself that much, I was trying to get everybody out, and trying to...be calm” she said.

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