School Bus Involved in Accident

A special education school bus was involved in an accident Thursday afternoon on the Walkers Creek Road.
The bus driver, Dwight Knowles of Smithville was not injured. Neither were the two students and an educational assistant who were also on board.
Knowles, who was driving east, came upon a sharp curve on the narrow road when he met a westbound Ford Focus, driven by Susan Coats of Alexandria. Although the two vehicles never made contact, the bus went off the right side of the road and came to a stop with its left wheels off the ground. Coats was not injured.
Those on board the bus exited through the rear emergency door. Another bus driver in the area who had just completed his route was notified to come pick up the students and take them home.
The accident was investigated by Sergeant Eric McCormick of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby said although the bus was towed to the bus garage, it is driveable and he doesn’t believe it is badly damaged. The bus will remain off the road pending a state inspection next week. Willoughby said the school system has another special education bus it can use to replace this one in the meantime