BC Highway Patrol Finds School Bus Crash Was Not Criminal

BC Highway Patrol met with victims and families to update them on the school bus crash that happened June 21st in the South Cariboo.

Police explained how the collision that hurt over 30 people and led to the death of one pedestrian was a tragic accident with no criminality.

On June 21, 2024, at 1 pm, a school bus with 31 children and 4 adults drove off the road and into a ditch on Highway 97 just North of Lac La Hache.

There were many injuries ranging from bruises to broken bones.

Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol said they wrote search warrants, reviewed in-car computers and video evidence, took witness statements and carefully examined the scene.

“The evidence shows that the driver of the school bus was the subject of a medical event and there was no criminality to this tragic collision,” McLaughlin said.

The 60-year-old driver is still recovering from serious injuries and will not be charged with any offences.

Following the crash, Mclaughlin said an unrelated vehicle stopped to help the victims and a man was struck and killed by an SUV driving on Highway 97.

Police talked to more witnesses, brought in collision analysts to inspect the scene, and examined in-car computer data to learn what happened.

“There were no signs of impairment, carelessness, or distraction from the driver of the SUV who was going below the speed limit.” McLaughlin said, “The SUV driver couldn’t see the aftermath of the bus collision due to a bend in the highway and their last second efforts to evade the pedestrian did not work.”

BC Highway Patrol and 100 Mile House RCMP Victim’s services met with the families and victims at 100 Mile House Elementary School last night (Thursday) to explain the results of the investigation and answer questions.

“This collision deeply affected this small community and we want them to know that we examined every detail.” McLaughlin said, “The outcome is still tragic, but at least they are not left in the dark about how it happened.”

School District 27 has provided counsellors for affected students and is encouraging them to reach out to their principal to arrange support.

– Files from Pat Matthews, My Cariboo Now staff