VALDOSTA – The Georgia State Patrol has released details of a fatal bus accident on Interstate 75 which took the life of a 15-year-old Lowndes High School student and injured several others.
At approximately 3:15 p.m., a 2005 Freightliner tractor-trailer, driven by Michael Scarpaci, 58, of Lockport, Illinois and owned by CR Transport, Inc. of Joliet, Illinois, was traveling south on I-75 carrying an over-sized load of metal beams.
Lowndes County School Bus #0908, a 2009 IC School Bus, driven by Aline Thomas, 62, was also traveling south on I-75, transporting approximately 30 students from Lowndes High School to Lowndes Middle School, said GSP Cpl. Chris Kelch.
“The metal beams of the tractor trailer along with the trailer collided with the rear driver’s side of the school bus,” Kelch said. “Mr. Scarpaci was uninjured in the collision and was restrained at the time of the crash. Mrs. Thomas, also properly restrained, sustained a leg injury and was transported by private vehicle to South Georgia Medical Center.”
The uninjured children involved in the collision were taken to Lowndes Middle School to be picked up by parents.
Thirteen children were transported by ambulance to South Georgia Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. An additional six children were transported by private vehicles to South Georgia Medical Center for treatment.
“Life Flight responded to the scene of the crash in an attempt to transport a critically injured child,” Kelch said. “The child was unable to be stabilized for flight and was then transported to South Georgia Medical Center by ambulance. The child was identified as 15-year-old Rebecca Hall of Valdosta. Ms. Hall succumbed to her injuries at South Georgia Medical Center.”
The crash is still under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.
Both drivers consented to alcohol and drug testing. Troopers do not suspect alcohol or drugs to be a factor in this collision but will be pending the toxicology reports.
All three southbound lanes of I-75 were closed until 5:39 p.m. The cause of the collision is still under investigation and charges will be pending until investigation is complete.
