Car driver killed after hitting bus in New Kensington
Road conditions appear to be a factor in a crash between a school bus and a car that killed the car’s driver in New Kensington Friday morning, the Westmoreland County coroner’s office said.
New Kensington police Chief Thomas Klawinski said the driver of a Pontiac sedan went across the center line, colliding with the bus about 10 a.m. on Route 366 between Marlborough Drive and Leechburg Road
The coroner’s office identified him as Edward Michael Nee III, 37, of New Kensington. He died of injuries to his neck and chest in the crash.
The driver of the bus, whose name was not available Friday, was taken to a hospital complaining of pain. The 15 to 20 students on the bus were not seriously injured, officials said.
Highlands School District spokeswoman Misty Chybrzynski said emergency medical personnel evaluated students at the scene. School nurses at Highlands High, where students also had access to guidance counselors, examined them again.
A few complained about a little bit of a neck pain and one student had a bloody nose on the bus, Ms. Chybrzynski.
Students on board a bus following the one involved in the crash also returned to the high school.
The students were traveling to Forbes Road Career and Technology Center, a vocational school in Monroeville, Ms. Chybrzynski said.
Lori Otwell’s son, Luke Roenigk, 18, told her that a car spun out in front of the bus and the bus struck the car.
Luke was on the bus and called her shortly after the crash.
“They were having trouble getting the kids out through the regular door,” said Ms. Otwell, who said she was on her way to the school this morning.
The district was on a twohour delay Friday, according to its website.
State police were assisting New Kensington at the scene.
Ms. Chybrzynski said the bus is operated by W.L. Roenigk Inc. and the company will do drug and alcohol tests on the driver, as is protocol anytime a school bus is involved in a crash.