Crime & Safety
Bus Driver Charged in Sarasota School Bus Crash
The driver of a school bus that crashed into a garbage truck on Friday afternoon has been charged with careless driving after several students said she was possibly texting and driving.
The Sarasota Police Department is investigating a Sarasota County school bus and Waste Management garbage truck crash that happened at about 3:40 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Ringling Boulevard and Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota.
The driver on the bus, Audrey Howe, was charged with careless driving after several children on the bus reported seeing her using a cell phone on or about the time of the crash, possibly texting.
Officers say the garbage truck was stopped at the intersection of Tuttle Avenue and Ringling Blvd, stuck in traffic on a green light, and the school bus ran into the back of the truck.
The school bus did have 25 children on board and several children were assessed for injuries by the Sarasota County Fire Department. None of the children were taken to the hospital. The children were traveling on the bus from Gulf Gate Elementary School to the Boys and Girls Club at 3100 Fruitville Road, Sarasota.
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