Police: Distracted driver hits Rockingham school bus in Louisa that was heading to State Fair of Virginia

Oct 2, 2025 - 19:25

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Police: Distracted driver hits Rockingham school bus in Louisa that was heading to State Fair of Virginia

LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Rockingham County Public Schools bus that was taking students and chaperones to the State Fair of Virginia was involved in a crash in Louisa County Thursday morning.

At 10:51 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, Virginia State Police responded to a crash involving a Rockingham County Public Schools bus on Jefferson Highway near Gardners Road in Louisa County.

Police said the bus was carrying 40 passengers -- including students from both Elkton Middle School and Wilber S. Pence Middle School, and chaperones -- was sideswiped by a 2003 Subaru Impreza heading east on Jefferson Highway.

(Photo: Virginia State Police)

The driver of the Subaru reportedly told investigators that he was distracted while attempting to change songs on his phone. The Subaru reportedly crossed the double-solid lines into the westbound lanes, hitting the front driver's side wheel of the school bus. Police said both vehicles lost control.

The school bus then veered off the right side of the road, down an embankment, and into the trees.

According to officials, the Subaru reportedly spun twice before hitting a guardrail. Its airbags deployed. The driver of the Subaru was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

The school bus driver, a chaperone, and at least two students were also taken to a local hospital with possible injuries.

Police said the Subaru driver was cited for failing to obey lane markings.

All lanes later reopened at 12:42 p.m.

According to an announcement shared to parents and guardians by Larry Shifflet, superintendent of Rockingham County Public Schools, the school bus was taking students and chaperones to the State Fair of Virginia.

The students and chaperones on the bus included individuals from Elkton Middle School and Wilber S. Pence Middle School.

Personnel from the school division, along with principals, were at the scene, providing support.

"We are working in close collaboration with the first responders who were on the scene, and we are grateful for the outstanding cooperation and support provided by the Louisa County School Division as we managed the response," Shifflet said.

Shifflet said the school division will continue to provide support and share further updates directly to the families of the students involved.

8News has reached out to the Louisa County Sheriff's Office regarding the crash. This story will be updated when further details become available.