Car, school bus collision in Vernon Hills causes minor injuries

Six elementary school students were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center as a precaution Tuesday morning after a car collided with their school bus on a slippery road in Vernon Hills.

The children were transported by ambulance to the hospital and three others were treated for bumps and bruises at the crash scene by Countryside Fire Protection District paramedics. Hospital officials said none of the students were admitted and their injuries were not life threatening.

Police said the crash occurred about 7:40 a.m. as a Toyota Camry drove alongside a Lakeside Transportation bus south on Lakeview Parkway en route to Aspen Elementary School.

“The bus was moving into the car's lane,” on a curve near Regency Drive, said Vernon Hills Police Officer Sharon Joseph. The car's driver tried to avoid the bus, but skidded due to snowy conditions and struck the driver's side front end, Joseph added.

The bus then hit a tree, causing minor injuries to the students. Neither the driver of the car or bus were injured.

Firefighters said there were 26 students on the bus. Those not injured were put on another bus and taken to school, where they were checked by a nurse and their parents were called, according to Hawthorn School District 73 spokeswoman Lynn Brandl.

An item posted on the district's website said the school resource officer was driving a few cars behind the bus and was on the scene immediately.

Three administrators, including Superintendent Sue Zook, also went to the scene and later met with parents at Condell.

Joseph said the impact caused “a little more than slight damage.” The bus driver, a 61-year-old woman whom police did not identify, was ticketed for improper lane usage.