News Summary
A serious accident involving three school buses transporting students from Fort Pierce Central High School occurred in Lakewood Ranch, injuring eight individuals. The collision happened when a Ford Expedition crashed into the last bus, leading to a chain reaction. While the driver of the Expedition sustained minor injuries, a 2-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries and was airlifted for treatment. Fortunately, the bus drivers reported no injuries. The investigation is underway, with local school officials emphasizing the importance of community support and safety for the students involved.
Lakewood Ranch, Florida — Eight people were injured in a fiery collision involving three school buses transporting students from Fort Pierce Central High School back from a band competition on Saturday night, October 12, 2025. The crash occurred around 8:20 p.m. on State Road 70, near Palmbrush Trail, in the Lakewood Ranch area.
According to reports, the three school buses were halted in the eastbound outside lane when a Ford Expedition struck the last bus. This caused a chain reaction in which the last bus collided with the second bus, pushing it into the first bus. The Ford Expedition sustained significant damage that resulted in a fire following the collision.
The driver of the Ford Expedition, a 32-year-old woman from Tampa, suffered minor injuries. A 2-year-old passenger in the Ford sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. Additionally, six students from the school buses were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. As of the latest updates, five of these students have been released from the hospital, while one remains for observation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the bus drivers.
The Florida Highway Patrol is actively investigating the cause of the crash. In response to the incident, the St. Lucie County School District has expressed its gratitude towards Manatee County Schools for assisting with transportation for the affected students back to Fort Pierce. Superintendent Dr. Jon R. Prince also noted the importance of the prompt response from first responders and educational partners in addressing the incident.
Incident Details
As the Fort Pierce Central High School students and accompanying adults were returning from the band competition, the buses were safely stopped when the accident occurred. The impact from the Ford Expedition’s collision with the last bus led to a domino effect, resulting in a significant crash involving all three buses.
Injuries and Medical Response
Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene to assess and treat those involved. The incident has raised concerns about passenger safety, particularly the well-being of the young child injured in the Ford Expedition. Hospitals were notified in advance to prepare for the incoming patients.
Community Response
The St. Lucie County School District’s expression of gratitude highlights the community’s commitment to supporting students and ensuring their safe return home. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of traffic safety, especially when transporting students.
Background Context
Fort Pierce Central High School recently took part in an event that gathered students and bands from various schools to showcase their talents. The band competition was well-attended and celebrated, making the subsequent crash a shocking event for the local community. School bus transportation is often utilized for such events to ensure student safety and management, but incidents like this draw attention to potential hazards on the road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is expected to provide further updates as their investigation continues. The focus now is on ensuring those injured receive the necessary care while also analyzing the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event.
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Additional Resources
- WPBF News
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- Fox 13 News
- Google Search: School Bus Accidents
- MySuncoast News
- Google Scholar: Traffic Safety
- WPTV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Transportation
- Bradenton Herald
- Google News: Florida Highway Patrol
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