81-Year-Old Driver Cited After Collision With Johnston County School Bus

ARCHER LODGE, N.C. – No injuries were reported Tuesday morning after a passenger car crossed the center line and struck the side of a Johnston County school bus near Archer Lodge, according to the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported around 8:33 a.m. Sept. 8 on Hunter Lane near Percheron Drive.

Authorities said 23 students were aboard Johnston County School Bus 643 at the time of the crash.

A state trooper arrived and found damage along the left side of the school bus and heavy damage to the front left quarter panel of the Toyota passenger car.

Fire and EMS personnel evaluated those involved. No injuries were reported.

The 81-year-old Toyota driver told the trooper the school bus was traveling at a high rate of speed and that she did not see it before striking the side of the bus. Investigators found no evidence to indicate the school bus was speeding.

The bus driver told investigators the Toyota crossed left of center into his lane and struck the bus.

Following the investigation, the Highway Patrol determined the school bus had remained in its lane of travel. Based on the physical evidence and statements from both drivers, investigators concluded the Toyota crossed the center line and struck the bus in an opposite-direction sideswipe collision.

The Toyota driver was cited for driving left of center.

No students, the bus driver or the Toyota driver were injured.