NEWARK, DE – A tragic incident unfolded at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School when a school bus accident led to the death of a bus driver.
Investigation into the fatal crash
What we know:
On Thursday morning at around 7:00, an IC 300 school bus parked in the drop-off lane was struck by a second bus, resulting in the death of a 54-year-old driver from Wilmington.
Police say the second bus, driven by a 54-year-old woman from New Castle, drifted forward for unknown reasons. Family members identified the victim as Wanda Montalvo.
The buses were carrying 48 students at the time of the crash, but fortunately, no student injuries have been reported.
The parking lot was closed for about four hours as authorities investigated and cleared the scene.
Support is available for those affected by this incident.
What you can do:
Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit is leading the investigation.
They are seeking information from anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant details.
What we don’t know:
The exact cause of why the second bus drifted forward remains unclear.
What they’re saying:
The victim’s family spoke to FOX 29’s Shawnette Wilson.
“It’s very tragic,” said Roberto Pagan who was with other family members gathered outside their Wilmington home Thursday evening.
“Everybody is still trying to figure out. It is like unbelievable, you know?” said her son Roberto Pagan. He says his mother was a bus driver in the Christiana School District and worked for two companies over the past five to seven years.
“She was an amazing worker. Even her friends, workers, you can call anybody from her job. They all loved her,” said Pagan.
“Somebody’s gotta pay for it. It was negligent all the way. No way a bus came up and rolled down and hit her like that,” said Pagan.
The family of a 12-year-old student from another school that Wanda bused for left a candle at the scene. They were too shaken to appear on camera.
The flame represents the light that Wanda’s family says she was to the kids.
“There were days that she’ll go pick up the kids at the bus and all you hear in the background when I’m talking to her is, Oh Mrs. Wanda, Mrs. Wanda, Good afternoon,” Pagan recalled.
Her sister Carmen broke down in tears.
“It’s really hard for the family right now. My dad is devastated. My dad is 87 years old and he still do not believe it and it is hard to see him crying,” said Carmen Montalvo.
The Source: The information in this story is from the Delaware State Police.
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