By Greg Kaylor
Cleveland Daily Banner
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. — Four people were injured late Friday afternoon when a passenger car collided with a Bradley County School bus.
The driver of the car identified as Richard Nicholas Lee Crisp, 30, was airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center with serious injuries, according to Stan Clark of Bradley County Emergency Medical Service.
Two students on the bus were also injured and a passenger inside the car was transported for treatment.
The crash which occurred on Spring Place Road at the intersection of Kile Lake Lane was reported just after 4 p.m.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene within four minutes.
Reports indicated the passenger vehicle had run under the bus near the rear wheels and the driver was pinned in his car. BCEMS paramedics advised 911 dispatchers to have LifeForce helicopter to the scene.
Clark said the two students, who were 14-years-old, were taken to SkyRidge Medical Center for treatment while the juvenile passenger in the car was transported via ambulance to T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga.
The child who was transported to T.C. Thompson was treated and released Friday evening. The two students were treated and released as well, according to Bob Gault, media relations coordinator for Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.
Gault said investigators learned the bus pulled onto the roadway on Spring Place and was struck by the car driven by Crisp.
Officials shut down the roadway to through traffic as Bradley County Fire Rescue personnel directed LifeForce to Spring Place Church of God to transport the driver of the car to Erlanger Medical Center.
Gary Austin, supervisor of Pupil Services/Transportation for Bradley County Schools, said the driver of bus 19 A was Robin Wilson, 45.
The 35 students were mostly from Lake Forest Middle School and there were also some high school students on the bus, according to Gault.
They were safely removed from the bus and another bus was dispatched to finish Wilson’s route.
Friday’s crash is the second in which a Bradley County School bus has been involved.
On Dec. 5, Jeremy Anderson reportedly crossed the center line as he traveled south on North Lee Highway and collided with a special needs bus which was carrying one student. The driver was injured, the passenger was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and Anderson was flown to Erlanger Medical Center.
Anderson passed away Tuesday, according to officials with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.
Anderson became Bradley County’s 21st traffic fatality victim in 2012.
“Our concern is for all who were involved in Friday’s crash. Our prayers and thoughts are with them and their families,” Austin said.
BCSO Traffic Unit deputies are investigating the crash.
According to Gault, no charges have been filed pending outcome of the investigation.
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