WHITINGHAM — Several people were taken to local hospitals after a vehicle crashed into a Twin Valley School District bus that was carrying students on Vermont Route 112 in Whitingham on Tuesday.
The early morning crash was blamed on icy conditions on Route 112. Initial reports at the scene indicated there were 13 students on the bus, but there were no serious injuries among the student passengers. The students were taken to a nearby school where they met up with their parents.
Route 112 was closed for over an hour while investigators interviewed drivers/occupants and photographed the scene. The crash involved a 2016 Honda Pilot operated by Cota Bonna, 18, of Westbury, N.Y., who lost control on the icy road and collided with a 2024 International School Bus operated by Cathy Morse, 60, of Whitingham, according to a news release from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The 13 children who were on the school bus at the time of the crash were picked up by parents/guardians or transported by car to Twin Valley Middle High School in Whitingham. Bonna was air-lifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Morse was transported to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for evaluation. A passenger in the Honda Pilot, Victor Bonomi, 18, was transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital with a minor injury. Two students on the bus were treated for a bloody nose and minor cut respectively and released to their parents.
While the scene was still being processed, Superintendent of Schools William Bazyk sent out the following email to parents in the district:
“This morning, one of our buses was involved in an accident on Route 112. Public Safety authorities promptly arrived on the scene and are actively addressing the situation.
“Parents of all students on the bus have been notified.
“We appreciate your understanding and support during this time. Please know that the safety and well-being of our students are our top priority. More information will follow as it becomes available.”
The Wilmington Police Department, Vermont State Police, Rescue Inc., Deerfield Vally Rescue, and local fire departments assisted with the crash. A post-crash inspection of the school bus revealed no defects. The Honda was removed by Heartwellville Service Center, and the bus was removed by A’s Auto & Truck Repair.
