THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Four people were injured in a crash involving a school bus Thursday afternoon.
The accident occurred at 3 p.m. Thursday when a Caledonia Public Schools bus was stopped on 108th Street west of Whitneyville Avenue in Barry County. The bus, with lights activated, was letting students off when it was struck from behind by a blue Pontiac Aztec.
While investigating the crash, Michigan State Police troopers noticed the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the Pontiac. The at-fault driver admitted to smoking marijuana within the last 24 hours and police found marijuana smoking paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Shortly after, the driver was arrested for operating under the influence and was transported to a hospital where blood was drawn.
The driver and three students were hurt in the crash. Two children, ages 13 and 14, were taken to DeVos Children’s Hospital by ambulance after complaining of back and neck pain. The bus driver was transported to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids with complaints of back pain.
The driver who hit the bus was not injured. Everyone who was hurt was inside the school bus and the rest of the students onboard were transferred to a second bus and transported to their destinations.
The arrested driver is now being held at the Barry County Jail.
The Michigan State Police continue to investigate the collision.
