School bus driver, 7-year-old girl killed in Tennessee crash

DECATUR, Tenn. (AP) - A school bus driver was killed along with a 7-year-old girl after a utility vehicle swerved into their lane. The bus, carrying 22 children, slammed head-on into the vehicle's side, the Tennessee Highway Patrol says.

Five children were airlifted to a regional hospital and two were taken by ambulance after Tuesday's crash on state Highway 58 in Meigs County in eastern Tennessee, Lt. Bill Miller said.

'œOur school community lost a wonderful, dedicated employee and most importantly a friend to our schools and children,'ť Meigs County Director of Schools Clint Baker said at a news conference Wednesday. 'œWe also lost a beautiful 7-year-old, little 7-year-old girl."

Authorities said the oncoming utility vehicle veered off the road and then over-corrected, swerving and skidding sideways just in front of the oncoming bus. The bus driver had no opportunity to stop, the highway patrol said.

No names were released pending notification of family.

In a statement Wednesday, Meigs County Schools said several students were treated and released at hospitals. Four remained hospitalized and were stable Wednesday, Baker said.

'œWe sincerely appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers and the outpouring of support that has been shown to Meigs County Schools and our community," Baker and the school board said in the statement. "Meigs County is a tight knit community and we know the bond will be important as we navigate the days ahead.'ť

'œWe're going to need everybody's prayers and support to get everybody back where they need to be,'ť Baker said.

M.J. Vaughn, 13, told WSMV-TV that he was on the bus and heard the vehicle's brakes screech before the crash.

'œAll it was was just a big bang. Everybody was just screaming. There was people laying on the floor, glass everywhere," he said.

Lt. Miller shared his condolences to 'œthis community and to the family of the school bus driver and the family of the 7-year-old.'ť He spoke to a Tuesday evening news conference at Meigs South Elementary School in Decatur, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn said in a statement that she and the entire staff at the Tennessee Department of Education are 'œdeeply saddened.'ť

The driver of the utility vehicle, from Service Electric, was being treated for minor injuries.

Authorities are investigating. No charges have been filed in the crash.