Introduction to the Incident
A school bus carrying 58 students from Cleveland ISD overturned on FM 1010 on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of students during their daily commute. According to a crash report obtained by Houston Public Media, the driver of the bus was "distracted" and possibly driving too fast.
Causes of the Crash
The 21-year-old driver alleged that he was distracted on the bus and failed to maintain a single lane. As a result, the bus left the roadway, struck the embankment, and the driver overcorrected, causing the bus to roll onto its right side. The investigator also suggested that "unsafe speed" may have contributed to the crash, but it was not listed as a definitive cause.
Aftermath of the Incident
All 58 students on board were transported to local hospitals for medical evaluations. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported. However, the incident has led to an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Licensing Controversy
The crash report initially indicated that the driver did not have the correct license required to legally drive a school bus. However, a district official disputed this claim, stating that the driver did have the correct license. The official, Tonya Clark, executive director of communications for Cleveland ISD, clarified that the driver held a Class B Commercial Driver’s License with the required Passenger and School Bus endorsements.
Previous Incident
Just two days before the August 13 crash, another Cleveland ISD bus carrying 59 high school students overturned while crashing into a ditch along the same road. Thirty-six students were taken to hospitals, but no life-threatening injuries were reported. The crash report for the August 11 incident cited "failure to drive in a single line" as a contributing factor to the crash.
District Response
The district has assured that the safety and well-being of students is their highest priority. They remain committed to maintaining rigorous safety protocols and comprehensive training for all transportation staff. The driver involved in the August 13 crash is no longer employed by the district, but the employment status of the driver operating the bus on August 11 has not been disclosed.
Conclusion
The Cleveland ISD bus crash on August 13, 2025, has highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of students during their daily commute. The incident has led to an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, and the district has assured that they will maintain rigorous safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future. As the investigation continues, it is essential for the district to take necessary measures to ensure that students feel safe and secure while traveling to and from school.
