Motor Vehicle Collision involving a School Bus – Personal Injury

Date and Time: 01/16/2018 at approximately 1745 hrs
Location: N/B US Rt. 113 south of Porters Crossing Road, Worcester County, MD
Vehicle(s): Vehicle #1 2013 Toyota Scion 4 door
Vehicle #2 2015 Honda CRV truck
Vehicle #2 2013 IC School Bus

Driver/passengers(s)/pedestrian:
Victim(s)/Injuries:
Driver of Vehicle #1- Steven Zelechowski 24 yoa- Stockton MD – Not Injured

Driver of Vehicle #2- Mia Zappacosta Byrd 33 yoa- Newark MD – Injured -Transported to AGH

Driver of Vehicle #3- Russell Keith Barbely Sr 59 yoa- Newark MD – Not Injured

Passengers of Vehicle #3- (7 students, No Injuries)

On 01/16/2018 at approximately 1745hrs, the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a school bus at N/B US Rt. 113 south of Porters Crossing Road, Worcester County, MD.

The investigation revealed that the operator of Vehicle #1, Mr. Zelechowski failed to slow to avoid a collision and struck the rear end of Vehicle #2, a 2015 Honda CRV. Vehicle #2 was stopped behind a Worcester County School Bus which had its alternating flashing red lights activated while dropping off a student. The collision between Vehicle #1 and Vehicle #2 caused Vehicle #2 to collide with the rear of the School Bus.

There were 7 students from both Snow Hill Elementary School and Snow Hill Middle School on the School Bus.

Mr. Steve Price and Mrs. Kim Heiser from the Worcester County Board of Education were on scene assisting with the students, along with the investigating Troopers, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department and the Newark Fire Department.