No one was injured Tuesday following a single-vehicle wreck involving a Rowan-Salisbury School bus that crashed in the 2100 block of Old Union Church Road. The bus driver, Monica Humphries, 39, of Salisbury, told troopers she took her eyes off the road, ran off to the right and overcorrected. The bus overturned onto its side. The crash occurred just before noon.
Humphries and bus monitor, Janet Menster, 42, also of Salisbury, were the only two people onboard. The bus driver was en route to Erwin Middle School to pick up a special needs student to take that student home when the wreck occurred.
Humphries was in a seat belt, said Trooper B.P. Potts. There are no other seat belts located on the bus. Humphries was cited for failure to maintain lane control.
Skid marks could be seen on the roadway a few yards from where the bus overturned, landing partially on the road and partially in a ditch. The grassy area on the roadside was unearthed where the bus’ tires left the road.
The school system’s wrecker service was called in to turn the bus over and tow it back to the school maintenance shop. Traffic along Old Union Church Road was blocked until the bus could be righted and towed. The accident happened just off Interstate 85 exit 79.
Transportation Director Judy Burris said the school system will have an adjuster look at the bus to determine if it is totaled. The side and front of the bus were heavily damaged. Also school maintenance personnel said two tires were blown as well.
Millers Ferry Fire, Salisbury and Union Fire departments responded. The Rowan County Rescue Squad also responded to the scene.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253. Twitter: www.twitter.com/salpostpotts