ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Semi Was Traveling 67 mph Before Hitting Archbold School Bus


This is the aftermath of a crash between an Archbold school bus and a semi rig that occurred Wednesday, March 27. The force of the impact peeled open the left rear corner of the bus, exposing the interior, and tearing the cab of the semi tractor off its frame. Both drivers were taken to the Fulton County Health Center, where they were treated and released. No charges have been filed in connection with the crash.– photo by David Pugh

This is the aftermath of a crash between an Archbold school bus and a semi rig that occurred Wednesday, March 27. The force of the impact peeled open the left rear corner of the bus, exposing the interior, and tearing the cab of the semi tractor off its frame. Both drivers were taken to the Fulton County Health Center, where they were treated and released. No charges have been filed in connection with the crash.– photo by David Pugh

The semi that struck a stopped Archbold school bus, Wednesday, March 27, was traveling 67 miles per hour before the crash, 12 mph above the legal limit.

That’s what the report on the accident, compiled by Justen Vocke, a Henry County sheriff deputy and crash reconstruction specialist, said.

The report, available online through the Ohio Department of Public Safety website, was available Tuesday morning, June 18.

The report states Vocke calculated the speed based on such things as the length of skid marks on the pavement left by the semi.

The report does not indicate the driver of the semi, Kelly Jay Braden, 48, Monroe, Mich., has been charged with any type of violation.

“The case is still pending investigation,” the report narrative states.

The Crash

The crash report states at about 4:06 pm, Joann M. Cousino, 57, rural Archbold, the bus driver, had stopped bus No. 8 in the eastbound lane of US 6 to release brothers Clayten and Kelby Buehrer, 9 and 6, in front of their grandparents’ home and the family business, Triple 6 Outdoor, in the 24000 block.

Two other children, Cameron and Eva Lemley, ages 5 and 13, were the only ones left on the bus at the time.

The report states Cousino had activated the red flashing lights on the bus.

The stop sign, mounted on the driver side, was deployed.

After the crash, some of the lights were still operating.

Reports say Cousino looked up and saw the speeding semi hurtling toward the bus from behind. She shouted to the Buehrer boys, who had just gotten off the bus, to run.

The eastbound semi struck the left rear of the bus.

During the impact, the rear end of the bus was raised far enough into the air that the nose of the vehicle was damaged. The left rear corner was ripped open, exposing the seats inside.

The bus was pushed off the right side of the road.

The cab of the semi was almost completely ripped off the frame. The frame, dismounted cab, and trailer went off the north side of the road and came to rest in a ditch.

The Buehrer and Lemley children were uninjured.

Braden and Cousino were taken to the Fulton County Health Center, where both were treated and released.

The school district insurance carrier declared Bus 8 a total loss.

On The Brakes

Vocke said in an earlier interview that Braden “was on the brakes hard” prior to the collision.

“There were very identifiable marks leading up to the crash from the semi,” Vocke said.

The report states Braden was tested for both alcohol and drugs. The alcohol test results showed a zero level of alcohol in his bloodstream. The drug test had negative results.