1 hurt in accident with SoCal school bus

An accident involving a South Callaway School District bus left the driver of the other vehicle injured, according to school officials.

South Callaway Superintendent Mary Lynn Battles said the accident - which occurred around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday - caused no injuries to the 19 students and three adults aboard the bus.

"Our bus was running its regular route and was out on Route O near Wildwood Drive," she said.

Battles said the other vehicle was approaching Route O from Wildwood when it was unable to stop at the posted stop sign and slid into the pathway of the bus. Initial reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol concluded the bus driver was not at fault and the collision could not be avoided, Battles said.

"The bus driver immediately reported the accident to our director of transportation," she said.

According to the Highway Patrol, Thomas C. Fox, 49, of Fulton was driving the school bus when Zachary A. Oliver, 17, of Fulton drove a 1996 Buick into the pathway of the bus. The report stated Oliver was not wearing a safety device and was transported by ambulance for serious injuries to University Hospital in Columbia.

Battles added that another school bus picked up the students and transported them to their school buildings to be checked by nurses, and counselors were also on hand.

School officials watched video of the accident Wednesday.

"The students were not jostled around much," Battles said.

She said damage assessments on the bus have yet to be determined but "didn't seem to be a great deal."

Oliver is a senior at Fulton High School. Kathy Wright, director of community relations with Fulton Public Schools, said the district had not heard reports yet on Oliver's condition.

"FHS and the district expresses concern for Zach and his family as they work through his recovery and will work together to address his academic needs as the semester progresses," Wright said.