Travelers Rest, SC — December 13, 2024, Crystal Coggins was killed and another person was injured in a bus accident at about 8 a.m. on U.S. Route 276/Geer Highway.
Authorities said a school bus crashed head-on with an SUV after hitting a tow truck that had been stopped in traffic.
The SUV driver, 47-year-old Crystal Coggins, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities. The tow truck driver, who name has not been released, was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
The Greenville Public School District bus driver and four students from Travelers Rest High School were not injured, although authorities said the driver was taken to the hospital after the crash.
The accident remains under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
My first thought after reading about this crash is to examine what sequence of events led to the bus striking the stopped vehicle. Crashes involving school buses are particularly concerning due to their potential to affect vulnerable passengers like students, and this incident raises questions about driver attentiveness, traffic flow and road conditions.
A key issue in this case is why the school bus hit the tow truck in the first place. Was the bus driver distracted, following too closely or traveling at an unsafe speed for the conditions? Investigators will need to review evidence such as skid marks, eyewitness accounts and any onboard camera footage to determine whether the bus driver was able to react appropriately to the stopped tow truck.
The design and condition of the roadway also warrant attention. Was the area well-marked, and were there clear sightlines allowing the bus driver to see and react to stopped traffic in time? Poor visibility, road obstructions or inadequate signage could have contributed to the crash. Authorities should also consider whether traffic patterns in the area are prone to causing sudden stops or slowdowns.
Another factor to examine is the SUV’s position and movement at the time of the head-on collision. Was the SUV stopped or moving, and did the driver have any opportunity to avoid the bus? In collisions like this, where a secondary crash occurs after an initial impact, the positioning of all vehicles becomes critical to understanding what went wrong.
The safety practices of the Greenville Public School District will also likely come under scrutiny. School districts are responsible for ensuring their drivers are properly trained to handle emergencies and navigate complex traffic situations. Investigators should confirm whether the bus driver adhered to these standards and whether district policies emphasize safe following distances and situational awareness.
This crash underscores the importance of thorough investigations into multi-vehicle accidents, especially those involving public transportation. By examining the actions of all drivers, the roadway environment, and the traffic conditions authorities can identify the factors that contributed to this incident and take steps to prevent similar crashes in the future.
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