By David Avitabile
RENSSELAERVILLE — Two people, including a student, were injured in a car-school bus accident in Rensselaerville Monday morning.
The State Police said a 20-year-old man from Rensselaer is facing charges after he crashed into a Middleburgh Central School bus just before 7:30 a.m. on Route 145 in the Preston Hollow area of Rensselaerville.
State Police said they arrested Curtis L. Williams, 20, of Rensselaer on charges of reckless endangerment in the second-degree, five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and numerous vehicle and traffic law violations.
At about 7:26 a.m. Monday, Troopers responded to the report of a two-vehicle crash involving a school bus on Route 145 and Arnold Road in Rensselaerville. The investigation determined Mr. Williams was reportedly recklessly driving his vehicle at a high rate of speed southbound on Route 145 according to witnesses. He allegedly crossed over into the northbound lane and struck a northbound Middleburgh Central School District bus occupied by the driver, an adult attendant, and five children. Mr. Williams’s vehicle then overturned striking a utility pole. One child and Mr. Williams did report minor injuries resulting from the crash, but neither were transported for further medical care.
Mr. Williams was transported to the State Police station in Latham for processing, police said. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Rensselaerville Town Court on November 10 and released.
Middleburgh school Superintendent Mark Place said the students on the bus were checked out by the school nurse and were well enough to attend school for the day.
Mr. Place explained the incident in a letter home to parents.
"This morning, one of our school buses was involved in an accident when another car, traveling at a high rate of speed, crossed into its lane. Thanks to the quick actions of our bus driver, a serious head-on collision was avoided.
"There were five students and two adults on the bus at the time. Our transportation director, school nurse, and emergency services were dispatched immediately. Everyone was checked and cleared, and families of the students involved were contacted directly. All students were later brought safely to school.
"We are so thankful that everyone is safe and deeply appreciative of the calm, professional response of our team."
The State Police said that the first arriving chief confirmed no entrapment and seven occupants on the bus.
"Miraculously, the driver of the car sustained only minor injuries, and no injuries were reported among the students," police said.
During the incident, crews discovered two packages labeled “Radioactive Material” inside the vehicle — which the driver stated they were unaware of. Out of an abundance of caution, the children were safely relocated to the Tri-Village firehouse while the NYSP Haz-Mat Team responded and removed the materials, police said.
State Police thanked the Middleburgh Central School District and the Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Department for their quick action and cooperation during the investigation and Oak Hill-Durham Fire with their assistance in traffic control during the closure.
The crash closed a section of Route 145 between County Route 352, Fox Creek Road, and State Route 81 for about four hours for the investigation and to fix the utility pole.
Photos courtesy Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. - Albany County.
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