Florida school bus crash leaves 2 dead, including student

Authorities in Central Florida are investigating after a school bus rolled over the morning of Oct. 5 leaving at least two people, including a high school student, dead.

The crash involved a Winter Haven High School bus and two other vehicles and took place about 6:15 a.m. ET, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters during a morning news conference.

A 10th grade student on the bus was killed, and the driver of one of the other vehicles involved also died, the sheriff said.

Winter Haven is about 50 miles east of Tampa and about 45 miles southwest of Orlando.

The bus carried 39 passengers including 37 high schoolers, the bus driver and the driver's 9-year-old daughter, and was en route to the high school when the crash occurred, Judd said.

Judd described the student as "a beautiful girl," and said the crash also killed the driver of a silver Jeep that struck the bus.

"This is devastating news for WHHS and our community," Polk County Public Schools wrote in a post on Facebook. "We are praying for the victims and their families."

The bus was traveling east along a roadway when a white Chevrolet Malibu heading west crossed the double-yellow center line on the two-lane road to trigger the crash, Judd said. The Malibu struck near the rear wheels of the bus, causing it to lose traction, Judd said.

The bus then crossed into the westbound lane and collided head on with a silver Jeep, Judd said.

After the collision, the Jeep caught fire, Judd told reporters.

The identity of the person driving the Jeep was not immediately released by authorities.

First responders transported several students to hospitals by medical helicopter and ambulances, and some were taken by private vehicles, the sheriff said.

As of 10 a.m. ET, Judd said, one victim remained in critical condition after the crash.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.