Aptos students ‘shocked’ by head-on collision with school bus

In a message to parents, a Pajaro Valley Unified School District official wrote that students are “shaken” by the head-on collision of their school bus in Watsonville Tuesday morning and are being offered counseling.

The California Highway Patrol reported that at 7:28 a.m., a gray Kia Forte crashed into the bus on Green Valley Road north of Casserly Road. The bus was carrying 43 students from Aptos High School and Aptos Junior High.

The 28-year-old Freedom man who was driving the Kia was taken to Natividad Medical Center with minor injuries, police said. A child on the bus also suffered minor injuries and was taken to Watsonville Hospital.

“For reasons still under investigation, the Kia began traveling northbound in the southbound lane of Green Valley Road and a head-on collision occurred between the Kia and the school bus,” CHP said in a news release, adding, “Alcohol and/or drugs are not believed to have played a role in this crash.”

Jenny Im, PVUSD's chief business officer, emailed parents Tuesday: “All students were immediately evacuated and emergency responders arrived promptly. Our bus driver and transportation staff responded quickly.”

“The incident has understandably been upsetting to all students involved. Our school district is committed to supporting affected students and families during this time,” Im wrote. “Counseling services are available at each school site. We encourage any affected students to contact their site for additional support. Please be assured that the safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority. We appreciate your compassion during this time and ask that you work with us and respect the privacy of those affected.”