Motor Vehicle Accident Involving School Bus

DATE & TIME: 10-05-2023 / 3:58 pm       

LOCATION: South 96^th Road / East Aspen Road (Rural Firth)

OFFENSE: DATE & TIME: 10-05-2023 / 3:58 pm       

LOCATION: South 96^th Road / East Aspen Road (Rural Firth)

OFFENSE: Motor Vehicle Accident Involving School Bus

CASE #: 2023-5005

On Thursday, 10-05-2023, at approximately 3:58 pm, the Gage County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident involving a school bus and another vehicle at South 96^th Road and East Aspen Road.

A school bus from the Freeman Public Schools was westbound on East Aspen Road with the driver dropping off students after school.  The bus driver stopped at the stop sign on East Aspen Road  at South 96^th, checked left and right for traffic on South 96^th and proceeded through the intersection, which is located in a small dell, with the northbound and southbound traffic coming down to the intersection from the crest of the hill.

The school bus was in the middle of the intersection when a white 2012 GMC Acadia driven by a juvenile male from rural Firth, Nebraska came over the hill to the south and struck the middle of the school bus. 

Some of the students on the school bus received minor injuries and were treated and released at the scene by paramedics from Adams Fire and Rescue.  Staff from Freeman Public Schools also responded to the scene and in coordination with the sheriff’s office and paramedics, conducted a reunification of the students with their parents or guardians.

The Nebraska State Patrol assisted with the accident investigation.  Speed and alcohol use were not a factor in the accident.  The school bus is not equipped with seatbelts.  The investigation is ongoing.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Sergeant T. Hanson #90310

Deputy M. Hager #9038