Dinwiddie, VA : 22 students injured in crash between pickup and 2 school buses in Dinwiddie County on Thursday, February 18, 2016

22 middle and high school students were injured in a crash involving two school buses in Dinwiddie County, according to Virginia State Police.

Virginia State Police say there was a crash just after 3 p.m. at Boydton Plank Road and Hofheimer Way involving a two school buses and a pickup truck.

A Dinwiddie County school bus was driving along Boydton Plank Road and stopped for pickup truck ahead of it. Police say a second Dinwiddie County school bus failed to stop in time and rear-ended the first school bus. The impact of that crash caused the first bus hit the back of the pickup truck, according to state police.

We confirmed that the two buses on scene are Dinwiddie Schools #11 and #12. Parents on scene say the buses had a combination of middle and high school students and some are going to the hospital. The injured students were taken to Southside Regional Medical Center and John Randolph Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

"There were 32 middle school students on one bus and 41 middle school students on the other bus," said Corrine Geller with Virginia State Police.

Parents said their children on board texted or called when the crash happened. "Initially, my imagination got the best of me thinking that it was a horrific accident," said Grace Barr, whose son and nephew were on the school bus. "I received a text message from my son saying that the bus was in an accident, and he hit his head against the seat and he was scared. He was asking for help."

Jessica Lester, who works at Angels at Play Childcare Center near the scene, said she saw at least five ambulances and two fire trucks on the scene.

Students were transported to Eastside Community Enhancement Center.

State police say neither bus driver nor the driver of the pickup truck was injured. However, the driver of the second bus was charged with following too closely.

Boydton Plank Road was reopened as of 4:30 p.m.

The crash remains under investigation.

Source :
Bus driver charged with 'following too closely' in crash that injured 22 students