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| Photo Credit: Zane Rist |
According to Pottsville Police, a Chevy Cavalier being driven by Debra Skripnek, 53, of Tamaqua had been traveling westbound in the 1900 block of W. Market Street when Skripnek began to proceed into the intersection while facing a steady red traffic signal.
While doing so, Skripnek’s vehicle struck Pottsville Area School District Bus “P” that had begun to travel northbound through the intersection after having stopped and waited for the green traffic signal.
The bus was being driven by a 65 year old female employee of the PASD.
At the time of the accident the school bus was carrying 22 Pottsville Area elementary students. All the students were evaluated on scene by Pottsville EMS personnel and then subsequently transported to local medical facilities for secondary evaluation as a safety precaution. No serious injuries were reported and 4 students complained of minor discomfort associated with bumping into the cushioned seats and/or the side window area of the bus.
Skripnek and the bus operator were transported by Pottsville Area EMS to local medical facilities for evaluation and treatment of injuries sustained in the accident.
The school bus was driven from the scene after all the children were transferred to a different school district bus and transported from the scene.
Skripnek’s vehicle sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene by Womer’s Towing Service.
Skripnek will be cited for the Traffic Control Signal violation.
Traffic flow on the area roadways was detoured for approximately 40 minutes while the incident was handled.
According to Superintendent Jeffrey Zwiebel, the parents of the children that were involved in the accident were notified. All of the children were released into the custody of a parent, but some children chose to return to school.
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| Photo Credit: Zane Rist |
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| Photo Credit: Zane Rist |
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| Photo Credit: Zane Rist |
Location of the accident