Five Students Injured in Highway School Bus Crash

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on December 7, 2015

On the morning of November 18th, 2015, a school bus carrying 11 children was involved in a serious bus crash on I-95 near International Golf Parkway. Not only was the incident traumatic, but 5 children were actually injured in the event – one quite seriously. Parents and community members were shocked by the news of the crash, and several parents have spoken out and declared that the bus should never have been on the highway in the first place.

Around 6:50 am, the bus, which was headed to Pacetti Middle School, was reported by the Florida Highway Patrol to have left the southbound lanes and crashed into a line of trees. The driver of the bus was 69-year-old Joseph Sanks, who was uninjured after the crash. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, he was, however charged with careless driving.

As a result of the crash, one of the students aboard the bus actually had to be cut from the wreck. It took firefighters roughly an hour to safely free 12-year-old Kaden Hicks, who had to be flown to UF Health Jacksonville to treat his severe injuries. Both legs were broken, with multiple breaks in the right leg. Later in the day, Hicks was eventually transferred to Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Three of the other injured students were taken in ambulances to Baptist South hospital, while the remaining injured student was able to be treated at the accident scene.

Since the crash, parents have begun to argue that the entire accident could have been avoided if the city had addressed what they believe to be the real, bigger issue: zoning. Because of current zoning, a child that could have been shuttled just 3 miles down the street from her home is required to take a bus that will travel 11 miles to a different school, in a trip that will also take her and her classmates onto I-95.

If you or a loved one – especially a young child – have been injured in a similar crash, it can be difficult to know where to turn during such a tumultuous time. Since 1977, personal injury attorney James Cunningham has been representing the victims of serious accidents in their legal pursuits. For knowledgeable, professional legal help with your case, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) to set up a free consultation to discuss your case legal rights.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.