Authorities in western Iowa blame the school bus driver for causing Thursday’s crash that left nearly a dozen students hurt. According to the Iowa State Patrol, just before eight A.M., a 1999 International school bus carrying 22 students from the Audubon Community School District stopped at the intersection of Highway 71 and South Street in Audubon. At about the same time, a 2002 utility-type pickup driven 28-year-old Nathan King, of Audubon, was traveling north on 71.
Troopers say when the driver of the bus — 77-year-old Marvin Nielsen, of Audubon — failed to yield to the pickup, the truck struck the right side of the bus, just in front of the rear wheels. Eleven of the children on the bus were injured. One of the students, Rachel Lewis, of Audubon, suffered serious injuries and was transported by helicopter to a Des Moines hospital.
King was also injured. He and the other students were treated at the local hospital and released during the course of the day. Authorities have not said whether any charges would be filed.