JEFFERSONVILLE – A full-size school bus and a minivan school bus crashed at around 8:30 a.m. Monday on Route 52 in Jeffersonville.
The driver of the minibus later died at Westchester Medical Center, said Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty.
He was identified as 70-year-old Charles McAdams of Loch Sheldrake. He was driving a Rolling V bus company minivan bus at the time of the accident.
At the scene of the crash, Sullivan County Sheriff’s deputies found a full-size school bus that had been traveling westbound when it was struck by a minivan school bus that was traveling east.
Chaboty said the investigation at the scene indicated that the minivan crossed the double yellow line into the path of the full-size bus causing the collision.
Two children in the minivan appeared unharmed and were taken to Callicoon Hospital as a precaution. The driver of the full-size school bus refused medical aid, but the attendant was also taken to Callicoon Hospital to be checked out.
Youngsville Fire was assisted by Jeffersonville Fire, Jeffersonville, Upper Delaware and Bethel EMS. The sheriff’s office was assisted by the State Police and District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is continuing.
“Our thoughts are with all involved at this time,” said Sullivan West Central School District Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bressler. She said they are “grateful for the speed of our first responders.”
“Our hearts also reach out to the young children and their families, who are enduring the trauma of surviving a serious accident and the many associated injuries, both physical and emotional,” said County Manager Josh Potosek.
“We appreciate our local school officials for their collaboration, and we thank our first responders – including our Sheriff’s Office, 911 Center and Public Safety Division – for capably undertaking a challenging rescue to extricate victims from the smashed vehicles. A scene involving injured children is among the most difficult to handle, and we are grateful to be served by these firefighters, EMS workers, police officers and dispatchers,” the county manager said.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Charles McAdams, a dedicated driver and beloved member of the Rolling V family who tragically lost his life this morning in a collision. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time. Rolling V is offering grief counseling to employees, remains in close communication with the school district, and will support local authority’s investigation into this incident,” said Nick Vallone, executive vice president of Rolling V Corp.
