Driver, Two Kids Injured In Augusta Co. School Bus Wreck

STAUNTON — A school bus driver and two students were injured this morning in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 11 in Augusta County.

Virginia State Police Trooper Z.J. Blevins said the crash between the Augusta County Schools bus and a Jeep Grand Cherokee occurred shortly after 7 a.m. today in the 1100 block of Lee Jackson Highway, the name for U.S. 11 in that part of the county.

The bus carrying about 30 elementary and middle school children was southbound on U.S. 11 when it pulled off onto the right shoulder to turn around and head north. The shoulder is wider at this location to allow for the bus to make the turn safely, according to a statement from the Virginia State Police. The u-turn is legal at that location.

As the bus pulled across the southbound lanes while making its u-turn, it pulled out in front of a southbound the 1996 Jeep, which slammed into the side of the bus.

The driver of the bus, Bruce K. Pugh, 61, of Staunton, and two students were transported to Augusta Health for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ann S. Schooley, 53, of Staunton, was not injured in the crash. Both drivers were wearing a seat belt.

Pugh was charged with failure to yield the right of way.

Contact Rob Longley at 574-6281 or rlongley@dnronline.com