Troopers Investigate Crash Involving School Bus

Wilmington - The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a two vehicle crash involving a school bus in which two people were injured that occurred this morning just north of New Castle.

The initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred this morning, Monday, November 24, 2014 at approximately 6:50 a.m., as Lesia A. Bass, 49, of Newark, DE, was operating a 2001 International School Bus, owned by First Student Inc., and was attempting to make a left hand turn onto westbound Rogers Road from northbound New Castle Avenue, north of New Castle. As Bass proceeded into the intersection, she drove directly into the path of a 1995 UD box truck which was being operated by James E. Kafantaris, 24, of Newark, DE, and which was traveling southbound on New Castle Avenue. The front left of the box truck then struck the front left of the school bus. The box truck then swerved off of the roadway, striking a light pole just south of the intersection, where it then came to rest. The school bus was able to come to a stop on Rogers Road, just west of the intersection.

A 13 year old male, as well as a 35 year old female, who were passengers on the bus, were removed from the scene by Emergency Medical Services and transported to the Christiana Hospital where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries. There were no other injuries.

Lesia Bass was cited by troopers with failure to yield the right of way.