Death of school bus driver in Libertyville remains under investigation
Police continue to investigate the death of a school bus driver who died after a crash Tuesday evening outside Highland Middle School in Libertyville.
The identity of the driver has not been disclosed. Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said more information will be released after an autopsy takes place Thursday or Friday.
Authorities were called at 5:42 p.m. Tuesday to a staff parking lot in back of the school after a bus struck three parked vehicles. The driver was found not breathing and taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he died, according to police.
No one else was on the bus, and no other injuries were reported.
The bus was operated by Durham School Services and chartered by Oak Grove Elementary District 68 for volleyball players and staff members. The Highland Hornets were hosting Oak Grove for two games, with the seventh-grade contest beginning at 4:15 p.m. followed by the eighth-grade match.
The bus was pulling into the lot when the crashes occurred, police said. Officers started CPR and applied an automated external defibrillator before paramedics arrived.
"Sadly, we can confirm this was one our team members. Out of respect for our driver and his family, we will not comment further," said Edward P. Flavin, director of communications for National Express LLC. The company is composed of several transportation operations and service providers across North America, including Durham.
The games were over when the crash occurred. Team players were driven home by parents and exited through the front doors of the school and wouldn't have known about the crash, said Robin Kollman, spokeswoman for District 70.
"There were some people in the (rear) parking lot. A game official called 911," she said.
The crash is being investigated by the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team. No further information was available Wednesday from Libertyville police.
"On behalf of District 70, we offer our deepest sympathy to the family. The death of any one member of our community who serves our children affects all of us," Kollman said.