Two accidents snarl traffic in Carol Stream

Two accidents within 30 minutes of each other, including one involving a bus for special needs students, brought traffic to a standstill Wednesday morning on County Farm Road just north of North Avenue in Carol Stream, authorities said.

Deputy Chief Jerry O'Brien said 23-year-old Ryan Kuecker was turning left off Thunderbird Trail at 7:09 a.m. in his 2010 Toyota Camry when he collided with a 2006 Chevy school bus traveling north on County Farm. The bus was headed to Glenbard North High School with one passenger and the driver; no one was injured. Kuecker was cited for failure to yield while turning left.

As police were on the scene at 7:33, a second accident occurred nearby when a southbound 2005 Honda Accord struck a 2007 Ford Focus from behind. In that accident, the driver of the Focus was cited for failure to reduce speed.

A man in the Accord was transported to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield for a minor back injury.

Police did not release the identities of either person.

O'Brien said traffic returned to normal levels about 7:50 a.m. after both vehicles in the first crash were towed.