(Cincinnati, Oh) - Cincinnati Police reported a 5-vehicle accident involving a Pleasant Hill Academy school bus in the 5600 block of Winton Road Monday just after 3 p.m.
Robert Jett, Jr., 23, was driving a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria north on Winton Road and passed Larry Perkins operating a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu.
Jett then lost control and slammed into the back of Jordan Ervin operating a 2005 Dodge Neon. This caused Ervin to cross the double yellow line into the southbound lane.
Ervin then struck at 2002 International Yellow School Bus driven by Trina Turnbow, 40. The impact caused Turnbow to go into a spin and strike a 2003 Silver Ford Taurus driven by LeAndre Acoff, 31. Officers reported the bus with students inside struck a pole causing wires to fall on it.
CPD Lt. Steve Saunders reported injuries of 14 children and 2 adults at the scene.
Ervin was entrapped in his vehicle and was transported to University Hospital by Cincinnati Fire Personnel. Ervin is listed in serious condition.
Both of Ervin’s passengers were injured in the crash. His two-year-old son was ejected from the vehicle and his one-year-old son was injured. Both were taken to Children’s Hospital in serious condition.
Turnbow was taken to University Hospital and is listed in fair condition.
One of the children on the school bus, a 12-year-old girl was taken to Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
9 other children on the school bus were taken to Children’s Hospital from the scene and 2 more were taken to the hospital by their parents after arriving home, but none of the injuries appeared to be serious, according to police and the school.
Another bus was brought to the scene to return the students back to school where their parent picked them up, although some parents picked their children up at the scene of the accident.
Jett, Perkins, Ervin, Acoff and Turnbow were all wearing their seatbelts.
The two-year-old boy was in a booster seat and the one-year-old boy was in a rear facing car seat.Excessive speed is a factor in this crash.
Impairment does not appear to be a factor in this crash.
Charges are pending for Robert Jett, Jr.
The Traffic Unit is continuing the investigation and any witnesses to this crash are asked to contact the Cincinnati Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514.
The Pleasant Hill Academy released the following statement:
This afternoon, a school bus serving Pleasant Hill Academy was involved in a bus crash at Winton and Dutch Colony. Reports indicate five vehicles were involved and the bus struck an electric pole, downing wires in the area.
Cincinnati Police indicate that at least 11 children have been transported to local hospital for treatment; no life-threatening injuries reported. A CPS Assistant Superintendent is on site at Cincinnati Children's to assist families taken for treatment there. A non-student was reportedly injured in the accident; CPD will have information about the status of this injury.
Pleasant Hill Academy Principal Shauna McDowell is on the bus with her students now; they will soon be en route to Winton Academy where students who were supposed to be on Bus Route #48 can pick up their students. These parents are in the process of receiving a call from CPS. Winton Academy Principal Ben Fulton is on site supporting families as well.
There was a report of multiple buses being involved; only one bus was involved in the accident, the other buses were called to the scene to transport uninjured children.
We will provide more information as it becomes available.