Pickup detaches from tow truck, hits school bus on I-295

School bus passenger, 69, injured in crash near Pritchard Road

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A pickup detached from a tow truck and hit two vehicles, including a school bus, Friday afternoon on northbound Interstate 295 between Pritchard Road and U.S. 1, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Troopers responded to the crash about 1:30 p.m.

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According to the Highway Patrol, a tow truck, which was transporting a Ford F-150, was traveling behind a school bus and a Ford Explorer. 

As the SUV and the school bus came to a stop behind other traffic, troopers said, the driver of the tow truck braked to avoid hitting the back of the bus and the sudden stop caused the Ford F-150 to become detached from the tow truck, striking the bus and the SUV.

Troopers said a 69-year-old woman, who was a passenger on the school bus, suffered minor injuries, but there were no children on the bus at the time. No other injuries were reported.

Photos from the scene show the elevated rear of the F-150 embedded in the back corner of the bus.

Florida Department of Transportation cameras showed the bus off to the side of northbound lanes, and a significant backup of northbound traffic on I-295.

The crash was finally cleared and traffic returned to normal about 3 p.m.

The Highway Patrol continues to investigate.