CLAVERACK – A school bus
driver sustained a neck injury when his vehicle was struck on the driver’s
side by a BMW whose driver was trying to pass it on the left side.
The bus was carrying two students ages 14 and 15, and three Taconic Hills
School staff members and the bus driver.
The accident occurred around 4 p.m. on Tuesday at Route 23 and County
Route 16 in the Town of Claverack.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office reports the car, driven by
Daniel O’Connell, 71, of Hillsdale, was driving westbound on Route
23 behind several other vehicles when he attempted to pass the slower
moving line of cars on the left.
As O’Connell was attempted to pass the vehicles, the school bus
owned by Taconic Hills School District and driven by David Dougherty,
59, of Ancramville, was taking a legal left turn onto County Route 16
from Route 32 and O’Connell’s car struck the bus.
Dougherty was transported to Sharon Connecticut Hospital.
O’Connell was issued a traffic ticket for improper passing.
