Jefferson Township, PA — March 16, 2025, 16 people were injured in a bus accident at about 6:15 p.m. on Mount Cobb Road.
Authorities said a school bus had just exited Interstate 84 when it crashed into a parked semi-truck at a travel plaza.
The bus driver suffered serious injuries in the crash, while at least 15 passengers were hospitalized with undisclosed injuries, according to authorities.
The bus reportedly was transporting members of the Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Lackawanna County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Crashes involving parked semi-trucks and moving buses raise serious concerns about visibility, driver awareness and whether the truck was positioned safely. In this case, reports indicate that a school bus exiting Interstate 84 crashed into a parked semi-truck at a travel plaza, injuring 16 people. A full investigation should determine whether this was due to driver error, poor visibility or another contributing factor.
One of the most important questions investigators should answer is why the bus driver did not see or avoid the parked truck. Reviewing black box data, surveillance footage and witness statements will be key in determining whether inattention or impairment played a role.
Another key factor is whether the truck was legally and safely parked. Some travel plazas have designated areas for trucks, while others see drivers stopping in less-than-ideal locations due to lack of available parking. Was the semi-truck parked in a designated spot, or was it obstructing traffic? If the truck’s position contributed to the crash, that should be examined closely.
Visibility should also be considered. Was the area well-lit, and was the truck clearly visible to approaching vehicles? If poor lighting, obstructions or bad weather reduced visibility, investigators should determine whether additional safety measures, such as better lighting or reflective markings, could have prevented the crash.
At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on who hit whom without investigating why the bus driver was unable to avoid the truck they risk missing key details. A thorough investigation should take all possible factors into account to ensure a full understanding of what went wrong.
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