An initial report about a bus rollover accident involving 39 Carey junior high students, released by the Idaho State Police on April 27, states that the driver could have been asleep, drowsy or inattentive, but also notes the fast action taken by emergency officials.
The report states that the road conditions were clear when Richard Mecham, 67, drove off the right shoulder of U.S. Highway 26 near Richfield on April 18. It says he then “over corrected while returning onto the roadway, lost control of the bus, crossed the center line, and rolled the bus.”
Twelve of the 39 students on the bus were taken to hospitals for treatment and assessment of various injuries. By April 21, all of the students had either returned to school or were at home.
The results of a blood alcohol test done on Mecham have not yet been determined. The report contains no statements indicating that Mecham may have been drinking.
The report states that charges are pending, but does not specify what kind of charges.
Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes said in an interview that Mecham was on administrative leave from the time of the accident until the report was released. After that, she said, he was fired for negligence.
“We are both saddened and shocked by this incident, and we are reviewing all of our internal procedures and policies on transportation to see if there is any way it might have been prevented,” Holmes said in a statement. “Any employee who compromises student
safety will be terminated.”
Holmes added that the district was continuing to offer emotional support to the students and would do so for the rest of the school year.
The report also shows a fast-responding emergency team. The accident happened at 12:29 p.m. about seven miles southwest of Richfield on U.S. Highway 26. Police were dispatched at 12:32 p.m. and an emergency medical service team was dispatched three minutes later. Police arrived at 12:36 p.m. while the EMS team arrived at 12:40 p.m.
“We appreciate the outpouring of support from the community, and we are grateful to the members of the emergency medical community, police officers and passing motorists who responded to help so quickly,” Holmes stated.
A final report on the accident could take weeks or months, according to a statement made by State Police spokesman Tim Marsano earlier this month.
In the meantime, Holmes said, Mecham’s position will not be replaced. Instead, the school will be reconfiguring bus routes to make sure all students are picked up but with one fewer bus.
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