School bus driver cited after causing multi-car crash, troopers say

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A Lincoln Charter School bus driver has been cited after causing a multi-car crash Thursday morning, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on NC 16 near Unity Church Road.

Troopers said the bus was traveling north on NC 16 when it collided with a 2011 Ford F-150 that was stopped in the northbound lane.

The Ford F-150 then collided with a 2010 Mini Cooper, and the Mini Cooper collided with a 2015 Land Rover, according to troopers.

Troopers said 31 students were on the bus at the time of the collision. However, no one was injured.

A spokesperson for the charter school released a statement regarding the incident, saying:

“The safety of our students and staff is a top priority. We are thankful that the scene was efficiently cleared by law enforcement. There were no injuries reported at the scene, and students were taken to campus following the law enforcement report. Parents were immediately notified. Following the conclusion of the law enforcement report, students were transported to campus, and they resumed a normal day.

This morning’s accident is under investigation, and we will follow the protocol of the NC School Bus Traffic Safety (SBTS) standards.

We have secured a substitute driver for the route to ensure no disruption in service to our families. The bus has been inspected by an NC-certified bus inspector, and no mechanical issues were identified. We will continue to follow the lead of the NC SBTS in the investigation and keep the safety of our students a top priority.”

The driver of the bus was cited for failure to reduce speed, according to troopers.

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