Semi-Truck Hits Stopped School Bus on US-301 Near Dade City, Injuring Four

A tractor-trailer slammed into a stopped Pasco County school bus and an SUV on US-301 near Desrosier Road Tuesday morning, injuring four people including a 13-year-old boy, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The bus was loading students in Dade City with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended when the crash happened.

Troopers said the bus had stopped in the outside southbound lane to pick up children. A Hyundai Tucson was stopped directly behind it in the inside lane. A 42-year-old St. Petersburg man driving a southbound tractor-trailer failed to see the bus in time, swerved left to try to avoid it, and instead struck the right rear of the Hyundai and the left rear of the bus.

Four people were hurt. The 13-year-old boy and a 22-year-old Dade City woman, both riding the bus, suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. A 26-year-old Zephyrhills woman riding in the Hyundai was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The 29-year-old Zephyrhills man driving the Hyundai was hurt but not transported. The bus driver, a 43-year-old Wesley Chapel man, and the truck driver, a 42-year-old St. Petersburg man, were not injured.

Investigators have not said whether the truck driver will face charges. Florida law requires drivers in both directions to stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended on most roads, including divided highways like US-301 unless a physical median separates the lanes. Violators can face fines and points on their license, and a stop-arm camera citation carries additional penalties statewide.

Why bus stops on busy highways draw extra scrutiny

US-301 through Dade City carries a steady mix of local traffic and commercial trucks heading to and from central Florida distribution routes. Stops along that corridor put loading children close to a road where speeds run higher than on residential streets, something Pasco school transportation officials and traffic safety advocates have flagged in past discussions about bus stop placement.

The Florida Highway Patrol has not released the names of anyone involved in the crash. No further details on the investigation, including whether the tractor-trailer driver will be cited, had been released as of Tuesday afternoon.

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