WAVY-TV


Police say one person died in a crash involving a school bus Monday morning in Virginia Beach.

According to officials, a vehicle heading southbound on Princess Anne Road collided head-on with the school bus around 6:50am at the intersection of Princess Anne and Muddy Creek Road in the Pungo section of the city. After the collision, officials say the vehicle which struck the bus caught fire.

Authorities say the driver of that vehicle - identified as 41-year old Jesus O. Valdivia, a native of Mexico City now living in Virginia Beach - was killed instantly in the crash. A passenger - identified as 42-year old Karen Traino, also of Virginia Beach - was airlifted to Norfolk General Hospital. Traino is listed critical condition.

Fourteen Kellam High School students were on bus #40 at the time of the incident. Eight students, as well as the school bus driver, were transported to Virginia Beach General Hospital. A ninth student went to the hospital on their own. Officials say the students and the driver suffered only minor injuries, although the bus driver - 54-year old Patty Barnes - was admitted to the hospital for observation. All injured students were treated and released.

Investigators are still trying to determine what led up to the head-on collision. Officials say Valdivia, a non-resident alien, was not licensed to drive in Virginia.

Authorities say Barnes is a 12-year veteran, with no other accidents on her record.

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