Local News
Authorities said 13 students were aboard the bus at the time of the fatal Marlborough, New Hampshire, crash, though none were seriously injured.
A 74-year-old New Hampshire man was killed Friday morning after his pickup truck collided head-on with a school bus carrying 13 middle and high school students in Marlborough, New Hampshire, according to state police.
Troopers responded shortly after 7 a.m. to Route 12 near Webb Depot Road following reports of a serious crash involving a pickup truck and a school bus, New Hampshire State Police said. When emergency crews arrived, they found the driver of the pickup dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the pickup driver as David Peloski, 74, of Swanzey, New Hampshire. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle, police said.
A preliminary investigation found that the school bus, driven by 77-year-old James French of Keene, New Hampshire, was traveling north on Route 12 when the pickup truck crossed into the opposite lane and struck the bus head-on, according to state police.
“At some point, there was a lane incursion on behalf of the pickup truck,” New Hampshire State Police Lt. Sean Eaton told WHDH. “The school bus was unable to maneuver in time, and it resulted in one fatality.”
School officials said 13 students from Monadnock Regional Middle High School were aboard the bus at the time of the crash. Several students were taken to local hospitals as a precaution, though officials said no serious injuries were reported. The students were later reunited with their families.
Monadnock School District Superintendent Jeremy Rathbun issued a statement on Facebook, saying, “We are aware of the bus accident that occurred on Rte 12 involving middle and high school students. While we do not have details to share, we want to tell you that all of our students are safe and we will be reaching out to their parents directly.”
The school bus driver was also transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
A witness who identified only as Amanda spoke with WMUR at the scene, saying she heard the collision from nearby before seeing emergency crews rush to help the students and bus driver. She told the outlet the crash was “very scary,” especially knowing children were on the bus.
“I saw that it was full of high school children, which I instantly saw one of my daughter’s friend’s faces, so I just wanted to get in,” she said.
Another nearby resident, Sean Colby, told WHDH the scene was jarring to witness.
“It’s definitely a good thing that none of the kids were hurt, but definitely sad for the family of the guy driving the truck,” Colby said.
The crash remains under investigation by the New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit, along with Marlborough police and fire officials. Authorities asked anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Trooper Eric Torrens by emailing [email protected].
Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.
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