No Serious Injuries in Head Start Bus Crash

VANCEBURG, Ky. (WTVQ) – No one was seriously injured in a collision that left a Head Start bus on its side in Lewis County on Wednesday, according to sheriff’s deputies.

Investigators say 19-year old Jonathon Bloomfield, of Vanceburg, told them he became distracted when his foot got caught between the brake pedal and accelerator of his 2007 Toyota Corolla, causing him to cross over into the southbound lane of KY 59.

Deputies say the car collided with a Licking Valley Head Start bus that was traveling in the opposite direction.

Investigators say the car hit the bus just behind the driver’s side door and then its rear wheels.

The right wheels of the bus went off the right side of the road, back onto the road at which time the bus tipped over onto its right side, sliding several feet before coming to a stop across both lanes of the road, according to investigators.

Deputies say the bus traveled 174-feet after impact.

There were five children and two adults on the bus, according to deputies.

The bus is equipped with harnesses and all the children were strapped-in, according to investigators.

Deputies say the bus driver, 37-year old Vicky Hardeman, of Vanceburg, and the other adult on the bus, safely evacuated all of the children through the rear emergency exit door within minutes of the collision.

Investigators say only minor injuries were reported. One child was taken to an area hospital to be checked out as a precaution. The driver of the car wasn’t hurt, according to investigators.

Some of the children were picked up at the crash scene by parents, while others were driven home by Licking Valley staff, according to deputies.

The road was closed for just over two hours, reopening around 4:30 p.m.

The accident remains under investigation.