A 27-year-old Iron County woman was injured and taken to the hospital after her car rear-ended a stopped West Iron County Public Schools bus on US-2 near Iron River on Monday, Sept. 14.
The crash happened around 7 a.m. on US-2 near Sunset Lake Road, just outside Iron River, according to the Iron County Sheriff's Office. The woman was driving a Saturn Aura that struck the rear of the bus. She was transported by ambulance to Aspirus Iron River Hospital for treatment. The sheriff's office did not disclose the extent of her injuries, and her condition was unknown as of late Monday.
The bus driver and the one student on board were not hurt.
A preliminary investigation showed the bus was legally stopped with its flashing red lights and stop arm extended when the Saturn struck it from behind. The investigation remains ongoing, and no charges or citations had been announced as of Monday evening.
Superintendent Kevin Schmutzler confirmed the crash in a written statement to district families on Sept. 14. Schmutzler said both the student and bus driver were physically uninjured but shaken by the incident.
Under Michigan law, drivers must come to a full stop at least 20 feet from a school bus displaying flashing red lights. Failing to stop is a civil infraction carrying a fine of $100 to $500.
The crash drew a large emergency response. The Iron County Sheriff's Office was assisted by West Iron County Fire Department, Iron County Search and Rescue, Aspirus EMS, Iron County Central Dispatch, Iron River Police Department, Michigan State Police Accident Investigators and Auto Doc Towing.
Across Michigan in 2024, the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center recorded 54 crashes at school bus stops with activated lights and stop arms, according to the Daily Press. Those crashes resulted in 26 injuries and one death.
The Iron County Sheriff's Office has not announced a timeline for completing its investigation.
