Fatal Accident Involving University Lacrosse Team

Seton Hill University’s Women Lacrosse team was on their way to an NCAA-II match at Millersville University, Pennsylvania. Then, the bus went off of the road and crashed into a tree. The bus driver died at the scene, and three others, including the coach, were flown to Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Coach Katrina Quigley, who was six months pregnant with her son, died at the hospital. There were 19 others who were taken to other care centers, Carlisle Regional Medical Center, Harrisburg Hospital and Holy Spirit Hospital in Pennsylvania, with minor injuries. There were no other vehicles involved so the cause of the accident is not known.

Update: It was confirmed Monday, March 25, 2013 that the bus driver did not have drugs or alcohol in his system.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved in this fatal accident.

Related: A JCPS Bus Was In An Accident, 9 Students Taken to Hospital

Statistics

• Three accidents involving a sports team have taken place since February 27, 2013.
• In 2010, there were 13,000 buses involved in accidents.
• In 2010, 226 people suffered fatalities from bus accidents.

The Law
Any accident is tragic, but school bus accidents can be devastating. This is because buses carry so many people, and their passengers tend to be kids. So, when a school bus is involved in an accident, a lot of people can get injured. If this bus accident had occurred in Kentucky, those injured would be able to make a claim against the bus company for any negligent acts of its driver, such as falling asleep. Victims can do this under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Responeat superior means the employer is liable for the actions of their employees. In this accident case, the claim would be for pain and suffering, medical bills, as well as the loss of the power to labor and earn money.

Related: New Cameras On School Buses Catch Illegal Passers

Bus Safety Tips
Buses are one of the most common and safest ways to get our children to and from school. The bus driver, passengers and other drivers are responsible for their actions. The bus driver needs to make sure the area is safe before they let any students off the bus. The bus driver also needs to watch the student to make sure they make it to their side walk or driveway safely. The passengers also need to be aware of their surrounding and behave on the bus. Good behavior is important because if a child is loud and disruptive, this will distract the bus driver. Please teach your children how to appropriately behave on the bus. Finally, other drivers always need to be on the lookout for children when school’s in session. When you are approaching a school bus that has its flashing yellow or red lights on, you must always stop. This includes if you’re in the opposite lane and if you’re on a road with multiple lanes. You don’t know which direction the students will come from, and that’s what makes passing a school bus that is loading or unloading dangerous. Please always stop for school buses and never pass a bus that has its flashing lights on.