ALEA releases new details on MCPSS bus crash

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - On Thursday, the Alabama Law Enforcement released the following statement on the investigation in to what caused a MCPSS school bus to tip over:

“A single-vehicle crash involving a school bus that occurred at approximately 3:05 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, resulted in seven injuries. The crash occurred when the 2020 Integrated Coach Bus left the roadway and partially overturned. The driver of the bus, Angela Lane Weaver, 47, of Lucedale, Miss., was injured and transported to Springhill Hospital in Mobile for treatment. The six juvenile passengers were also injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. The crash occurred on Mason Ferry Road at Bishop Drive, in Mobile County. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.”

FOX10 News spoke to Kristina Simmons, the mother of two students on board the bus. She says both of her girls were taken to the hospital in the same ambulance, and that they have minor injuries but are recovering well at home.

Simmons says her oldest daughter, just 15 years old, called 911 and comforted other students on the bus. Simmons praises her daughter’s leadership in those scary moments. She says accidents happen and doesn’t blame anyone.

“This accident could have happened to anyone,” said Simmons. “My children have never felt endangered while in Mrs. Weaver’s care and we do not feel that she is at fault. My heart is with Mrs. Weaver, the students and their families during this time and we pray they are surrounded by love and support during their recovery. We are truly grateful for God’s protection and give Him all the glory that everyone is safe...as you can imagine, this has been traumatic for everyone involved but we praise the Lord for his unwavering faithfulness.”

Simmons says she wants to thank MCPSS Superintendent Chresal Threadgill and the many school staff members from Semmes Middle School and Mary G. Montgomery who visited the injured students at the local hospitals.

FOX10 News reached out to MCPSS School Board Member Lonnie Parsons who represents the district the crash was in. Parsons says he’s relieved the injuries weren’t worse. He’s asking the community not to jump to conclusions or point fingers in the accident but to wait on the results of the investigation.

FOX10 News will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.