(WBRZ News 2) School officials say 28 students were hurt in a crash involving two charter buses in LaPlace Friday morning.
The crash happened on I-10 east near US 51 in LaPlace shortly before 10 a.m. Friday. First responders tell WBRZ News 2 that 28 students in total were transported to six area hospitals from the scene with minor to moderate injuries.
East Baton Rouge Schools confirmed that 150 students, both 10th and 11th graders, from Lee Magnet High School were on three buses at the time of the crash. The students were traveling to New Orleans on a field trip to the World War II Museum and a New Orleans Pelicans NBA game when one bus crashed into the back of another. One bus driver who has not been idenitfied at this time, will be cited with careless operation of a vehicle.
FollowMichael Vinsanau @MVinsanau
The students were headed to the WW2 museum, and a @PelicansNBA game for good behavior. Trip will not continue.
11:34 AM - 31 Mar 2017
"Parents of all injured students have been notified as to the location and condition of their students," Chief of Communications Adonica Duggan said.
School officials said the buses were "rendered inoperable" and transportation for the uninjured students was dispatched. The uninjured students were transported to the LaPlace Civic Center to wait for more buses from Baton Rouge to transport them back to the school.
FollowChris Nakamoto WBRZ @ChrisNakamoto
These EBR busses are in route to pick up students involved in that charter bus crash in Laplace. @WBRZ
11:47 AM - 31 Mar 2017 · Louisiana, USA
According to school officials, the field trip was for students' good behavior.The crash closed both lanes on I-10 east for nearly an hour and a half. As of 11:35 a.m., the scene was cleared and traffic was passing normally.
The buses were owned by Calvin B Tours LLC based in Zachary. The business owner, Calvin Brown, wells WBRZ that the accident amounted to a fender bender. The buses back to the company after making sure they were compliant with state licenses and had proper insurance.