School bus carrying students crashes into swimming pool

A school bus with children on board crashed into a pool in Orange County Friday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened about 8:30 a.m. The bus was traveling down Willowwood Street, near Rushmore Court in west Orange County when a car pulled out in front, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said.

The drivers of the bus and car had different stories as to who pulled out in front of whom, authorities said.

The bus driver, 53-year-old Eddikson Pena, clipped the car as it swerved to avoid a collision, Montes said. The bus crashed through a fence before driving into the pool.

The bus was occupied by nine children, none of whom were injured, Orange County Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles said. The driver of the Jeep, 25-year-old Yerica Vilorio Cuevas, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

Troopers are investigating the crash.

Orange County Public Schools spokesperson Sara Au said Pena has been employed with the school district since 1999.

“As is standard procedure pending the outcome of an investigation, the bus driver won’t be driving,” Au said.

Au added that a second bus was dispatched after the crash to take the students the rest of the way to school. They were checked again by school nurses after arriving and “all were well,” Au said.