In Decatur, Illinois, a collision involving two school buses occurred on Thursday afternoon, drawing significant attention to the busy intersection of West Grand Avenue and North Illinois Route 48. The incident unfolded at approximately 2:16 p.m. and included a total of four vehicles, according to Sergeant Brandon Rolfs from the Decatur Police Department.

The vehicles involved were an Alltown bus carrying students from Decatur Public Schools, another bus from the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education, a Dodge Ram pickup truck, and a Nissan Altima sedan. At the time of the accident, the two school buses were waiting at a red light in the eastbound lanes of West Grand Avenue.

The sequence of events began when the Dodge Ram, traveling southbound, attempted a left turn at the intersection. This maneuver resulted in a collision with the northbound Nissan Altima. The impact caused the Ram to veer off course, subsequently hitting the stationary buses. Sergeant Rolfs provided these details, illustrating the chain reaction that led to the multi-vehicle crash.

In other local news, Springfield firefighters had a busy Friday morning, responding to two separate fires. This adds to an already eventful week for emergency services in the region.

There was a total of nine students aboard the buses — seven on the Alltown bus and two on the ROE bus. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene, which Rolfs said is standard practice.

“Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene, students were assessed by medical personnel, and no students were transported for further medical attention,” Maria Robertson, Director of Communications & Public Relations for Decatur Public Schools, said in a statement to WCIA. “The district is grateful for the quick response of first responders and for the safety of all students involved.”

The driver of the Nissan — a 26-year-old woman from Decatur — was the only person who reported any soreness or injury, Rolfs said, but she was ultimately not transported from the scene.

The driver of the Ram was an 83-year-old man also from Decatur. Rolfs said that after the crash, he had no memory of the crash or why it happened.

He was ultimately given a ticket for failing to yield the right of way in the intersection, Rolfs said. Decatur Police also submitted a form to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office asking for a reexamination of his license. This will include medical testing to determine whether it is in the best interest of both the man and the community for him to have a driver’s license.