Today, 17 December, around 7:30 a.m. accident involving a school bus. In the accident, 13 of the 19 pupils were injured. The bus driver also was hospitalized.
According to the report Alexander County Schools in Facebook, the incident occurred in the community of Bethlehem (NC), about Icard Ridge Road and Bulldog road, about 60 miles Northwest of Charlotte.
As reported by traffic police in the state, Toyota, at the wheel which was the drunk driver, drove into the oncoming lane and collided with a school bus West Alexander Middle School, which subsequently overturned.
At a school bus crash in Alexander Co. 13 kids were transported including the bus driver and driver of the car. 6 kids were ok and taken to school. @SpecNewsCLT pic.twitter.com/rAv1gJuqlH
— Vanessa Leon (@VanessaLeonTV) December 17, 2018
According to the patrol, one of the victims is in critical condition. Unknown at this time who have been seriously affected — student or adult.
WSOC reporter Dave Faherty wrote on Twitter that most of the passengers escaped with minor injuries, but some still had a fracture.
Breaking Alexander — 13 children and the bus driver have been transported to the hospital. The superintendent says all of the children were responsive. 6-other children were taken to the middle school. Most of the injuries bumps and bruises, some broken bones. pic.twitter.com/ugWMI5N2Z3
— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) December 17, 2018
Police have established the identity of the driver of the Toyota. The driver was 56-year-old Kimberly Ann Austin from the town of Taylorsville (North Carolina). She was taken to Frye Regional Medical Center for treatment.
At the moment she was charged with driving while intoxicated and traffic violations.
According to a statement from highway patrol, after receiving the blood test Austin district Prosecutor’s office will determine whether to advance additional charges.
