A bus transporting the Hiram College Baseball team from Ohio was involved in a fatality crash Saturday afternoon. The crash occurred in the southbound lanes of I-75 at mile-marker 287 in Dade City.
It occurred on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at 12:33 PM as a Pioneer tour bus was transporting 38 passengers from the Hiram College baseball team in Ohio. The bus driver, 69 year-old Shirley Jackson of West Salem, OH, was driving southbound on I-75 in the center lane.
Ahead of the bus was a 2007 Lexus RX350 that was driven by an 81 year-old female that was killed in the crash. The passenger in the Lexus was a 59 year-old female that was airlifted to Bayonet Point Hospital with critical injuries.
According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the vehicle ahead of the Lexus, a 2014 Hyundai Sonata, was being driven by 45 year-old Amy Chadek of Ocala, FL. Chadek slowed as the vehicles merged from three lanes to two lanes. The bus failed to slow and as a result, collided with the rear of the Lexus which was then propelled into the rear of the Sonata.
The driver of the Sonata was transported to Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel with serious injuries.
The bus driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries. No students were reported injured in the crash.
Charges are pending and alcohol did not appear to have played a role in the crash.
The investigation continues.
The crash closed southbound I-75 until 4:30 PM.