Crime & Safety

Bus Accident Sends Three to Hospital

A Sarasota County Transit bus hit two cars and a utility pole while trying to avoid an accident.

A bus hit two other cars pushing one into a building while trying to avoid an accident on U.S. 41 today. The accident, which happened just after 8:30 a.m., sent three bus passengers to the hospital with minor injuries, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.

The bus was travelling west on 30th Avenue West in Bradenton and was in the left hand turn lane with a green light. Two vehicles were stopped at a red light on U.S. 41 to the right of the bus.

According to the FHP report:

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The bus began to make a left hand turn when the driver, Michale W. Finch, 58, or Sarasota, noticed a car traveling eastbound approaching the bus on 30th Avenue west and going into the intersection. In an effort to avoid hitting the car, the bus driver steered hard to the left and ran over the concrete median on U.S. 41.

The left front of the bus hit the left side of a 2011 Honda pushing it into a building at 3001 14th Street W. where Stoneworks of Manatee is located.  Donald J. Sturiano, 53, of Parrish, who was driving the Honda sustained minor injuries. His car had an estimated $7,000 in damage.

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The bus driver then tried to steer to the right and the right fron of the bus hit a 2008 Lincoln, pushing it about 80 feet before it came to rest in the northbound left turn lane. William L. Stephens, 67, of Palmetto, was driving the Lincoln. He and his passenger Scott R. Henson, 29, of Riverview had minor injuries.

The bus continues traveling on the east shoulder of the road. It finally stopped after the front of the bus hit a concrete utility pole.  Three of 12 bus passengers were taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

The accident closed one lane of 14th Street West for part of the morning.

Injured bus passengers were:

Kenneth Smith, 55, of Bradenton; Jennie Hunter, 35, of Bradenton and Yvette Valle, 23, of Bradenton.


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