No Charges In Fatal School Bus Crash In Wadsworth
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The driver of a school bus involved in a fatal crash earlier this month in Wadsworth has been cleared of wrongdoing.
No Charges In Bus Crash
The bus was taking children to Newport Elementary School when it slammed into a Jeep at Route 173 and Kilbourne Road. That impact killed the Jeep's driver, Phillip Smith, 62.
The Lake County coroner's toxicology reports found evidence of what is thought to be prescription medications in Smith's system, according to a release from the Lake County sheriff's office.
The Lake County state's attorney's office has reviewed the case, and charges will not be filed, the sheriff's office said.
There were no fatalities among the 35 on the bus.
The crash occurred at 8:03 a.m. April 5 near Route 173 and Kilbourne Road in unincorporated Newport Township.
According to Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran, the bus, traveling westbound on Route 173, struck the southbound Jeep Wrangler.
Curran said that the driver of the bus, which rolled onto its right side, was coherent and talking with the police. Initial reports from the scene indicated the bus, "may have been late for the light," Curran said.
However, witnesses later came forward to say that the bus driver did not go through a red light
