Illinois State Police has issued a followup from a crash last Thursday afternoon. They say the drivers of an SUV and a school bus were injured on Illinois Route 37 near Game Farm Road south of Mt. Vernon.
Mt. Vernon Township High School Superintendent Chad LeCrone said the Durham School Services bus was transporting special needs students home when the crash occurred. Three students remained aboard the bus, but none required hospital treatment. Their parents or guardians picked them up at the scene.
While the State Police investigation remains incomplete, Jefferson Fire officials said the SUV apparently crossed the centerline and sideswiped the bus.
The SUV then left the roadway and came to rest on railroad right-of-way, forcing Union Pacific train traffic to stop for about 30 minutes. The bus crossed to the opposite side of the highway before stopping.
The names of the drivers have not been released.
Route 37 was closed for approximately two hours while authorities investigated and cleared the scene.