JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – The semi-truck driver who rear-ended a school bus carrying kindergarteners on a field trip said the crash was caused by a malfunctioning brake, according to the incident report obtained by News4JAX.
On Thursday morning, about 30 kindergarteners from San Pablo Elementary School were on board the Duval County School Bus headed to the Jacksonville Zoo when the semi crashed into the bus as it crossed the train tracks on Zoo Parkway.
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Four children were injured and taken to the hospital and the crash report notes a fifth person was also transported for their injuries. The injuries range from two broken legs to cuts to the head and chest pain. No updates have been released regarding the students’ current conditions.
According to the report, the semi truck driver told police that he saw the bus stopped at the railroad tracks, tried to step on the brakes, but his “brakes were not working,” causing the semi to swerve to the inside in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid hitting the bus.
The driver was cited for careless driving. We also reached out to the owner of the semi-truck, Universal Logistics Holdings, for comment, but the company declined.
One of the families whose child was injured has retained Sam Hartiens, an associate attorney at Campione Law, to investigate the crash and potential claims. Farah and Farah is representing the other three children injured.
The investigation is focused on determining the cause of the crash, including whether the truck driver was distracted or if there were mechanical failures.
It’s unclear how this information would add to the lawsuit.