Log Truck Accident School Bus - Route 8 Ohio, NY

This accident happened in February of 2013. It's a reminder that you never know what is over the next blind hill, AND, to think about what time of day it is (school is out, buses are active). The driver had little options once breaking the hill while gaining speed. What most log trucks do in this area to get most oversized loads up the next hill. There are clear signs indicating a school bus stop ahead. Buses run from 3-6pm in this area after school. Time was 3:40pm. Bus was stopped with it's lights on, 3 girls walking to the door for an overnight birthday party (ages 10 years old). Cars stopped in the opposite direction, giving the driver 3 options. Hit the bus. Hit the cars in the opposite lanes. Take a high risk chance of going to the right of the school bus and killing whoever happens to step off. In this case, the driver chose the later. Against all odds, including a high bank, 3 foot ditch, mailbox, and maple trees. An absolute miracle happened. The bus driver did not open the door (girl at the steps). The truck blew by the bus on the right, and in a miracle, did not shift the load and tip over onto the bus (the only option), killing almost everyone for sure. The driveway in the picture is where the front of the bus was stopped, you can see how far the truck traveled PAST the stopped bus. Missing it by inches. This happened 2 years ago to the month. I am the father of the girl who lives at this location. The area is treacherous. Blind hills, sharp corners. All I ask is for 6 miles, just 6 MILES, to take an extra 10 minutes of time. To not bull rush the next hill not knowing what is over that hill. And pass through this area with safety, not worry about mileage, how fast I can get to my dropoff, etc. AND, to think about WHAT time of day it is. Are there buses out? What are the dangers?? What are the conditions? When I told the driver you guys travel too fast through here. His response was, I was only doing 40mph. I simply asked, "Did you stop in time?". Then you were going too fast. Not to mention, completely freighted with logs to the top of the racks (see picture). I have driven truck in the past, so I did have a right to voice my opinion, and know what I was talking about. After talking with the trooper and the driver, and calming down tremendously. Knowing no one was hurt. I let the guy slide and did not sue. Asked for lenience on the part of his. And he walked away with unsafe lane change only. And later, I hear complained of that in court. All I ask, is if you know anyone who runs this route, or similar routes, to please ask for consideration. And to slow down. The money is not worth anyone's life. Especially, 3 little girls. The section is Route 8 North. From the intersection of Route 365, to Nobleboro, NY. In the Town of Ohio, NY.

 

1. This is very true, and the reason I did not press things further. I could have sued the pants off this company, but did not.
2. Is also very true. There are many trucks that run this route, but in the winter, it's the log trucks that are 1, HEAVILY overloaded. 2. run this route knowing they can run overloaded without State Police pressure. 3. Are trying to make as much time and going way too fast in this certain "known" area to be an issue (dangerous).
3. There was no choice in this designated stop. The road is narrow here, it is a blind hill, and it is a two lane highway with ditches, you can only fit cars side by side only. Granted, I myself have gotten on and off the bus there for 18 years without incident. May have been lucky, but may have also not had the traffic we have today.
4. There is NO room on the right. The truck went there cause he had 3 choices. Go left and maybe kill whoever is stopped in the cars in the opposite lane. 2, hit the bus and most likely kill one or many students. 3. Go to the right not knowing what is there and take the change of killing whoever is getting off the bus. The driver got lucky in that there was enough snow to support the truck and he stradled the ditch that is there and covered by snow. I call it a miracle. It was some good driving in a bad situation. And luck played a big role in the kids NOT stepping off at the moment of impact, and the truck not shifting it's load and crushing the entire school bus. The DOT has failed to address many issues in this area. Accidents all the time. We have a log truck accident almost yearly now. Rollovers, etc. They go too fast for that area. Can't figure out why really. Unfortunately, it takes a death for the DOT to look at something seriously, and even then, most of the time is not addressed. Not sure if that is a fault of there's, state funding, or state in general. In this situation, I took matters into my own hands and changed the stop point to be at the top of the hill. It took some coordination with my neighbor (to allow me to excavate a hill that blocked a route for the kids). It cost me $1000 to do so. Well worth any amount to NOT have this be an issue. It still is a dangerous route. But I've mitigated some of that risk. The kids now have to walk in the winter about 500 feet. I keep it plowed, which is difficult in heavy snows. But all worth it. Since nobody has changed their ways. DOT, State, Truckers.
5. This falls back to #2. A trucker is responsible not only for the safety of himself/herself and the truck, but the general public. It's a huge responsibility that seems to be taken lightly more and more and fleets just throw guys into trucks just to keep them running to make the all mighty dollar. When I drove, if I knew my route was a dangerous one, consisting of blind hills, corners, and potential for issues. And I knew I had an extreme load on, I would side on caution and take extra time through that route. We're only talking a stretch of like 6 miles. If I can't slow down and be cautious for 6 miles, let alone the 100s I am probably driving per day, then the problem lies within the hands of the driver.