Bus wreck stalls Route 3 traffic

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: September 30, 2008

A Fredericksburg man driving a 2001 Ford Ranger plowed into a Culpeper County Public School bus early Tuesday morning, causing long backups on Route 3 but no major injuries.

James McGee, 51, was southbound on Carrico Mills Road when his truck ran a stop sign and hit Bus 104 (westbound on Route 3) at 7:25 a.m., according to State Police.

The truck slammed into the front right panel of the bus near the double doors, causing it to veer into a field adjacent to Blue Ridge Growers. The bus — headed to Eastern View High and Floyd T. Binns Middle schools — had 39 students on board.

A number of students and the bus driver were treated for minor injuries, according to schools spokeswoman Marla McKenna.

“School staff on the scene reassured students and oversaw their transfer onto another bus, which completed the run,” McKenna said. “Administrators at EVHS and Floyd T. Binns were on hand to greet and speak with students upon their arrival at the schools.”

The wreckage caused miles of traffic to build up along Route 3 from Revercomb to Clay Hill roads.

McGee was charged with reckless driving.

Trooper J.D. Jones of the Virginia State Police said the heavy fog did not play a factor in the crash. “The driver was not familiar with the road,” he said.

CCPS Acting Superintendent Larry Carter praised Virginia Moore’s reaction to the crash.

“She was very calm and made sure the students stayed in their seats,” Carter said after viewing the bus’s video footage.

Moore began working for CCPS in 2006. Before that, she worked for 11 years as a bus driver in Prince William County, McKenna said.

It took rescue crews about two hours to clean up the debris that littered the pavement and grassy knoll.

Both vehicles received extensive damage.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .