A suburban Chicago road is closed indefinitely after a head-on collision between a school bus and a car claimed one life and sent 11 people to hospitals.
At a Glance
- A school bus carrying 10 Manhattan students collided with a passenger vehicle at 8:17 a.m. Thursday
- The car driver was pronounced dead at the scene
- All 10 students and the bus driver were hospitalized for evaluation
- Manhattan Monee Road between Schoolhouse and Cedar Roads remains closed until further notice
- Why it matters: Morning commuters and school families face major detours while investigators work to determine the crash cause
Crash Details
The crash occurred at 8:17 a.m. CT on Manhattan Monee Road, according to the Manhattan Fire Protection District. The school bus was transporting students from the Manhattan School District when it collided head-on with a passenger vehicle.
Emergency crews found the bus carrying:
- 10 students
- 1 driver
All bus occupants were evaluated at the scene and transported to nearby hospitals “due to the severity of the accident,” fire officials reported.
Response and Investigation
Multiple agencies responded to the crash site, including:
- Illinois State Police
- Manhattan Police Department
- Manhattan Fire Protection District
- Administrative staff from School District 114
- Additional fire crews
The driver of the passenger vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Illinois State Police. Despite the violent impact, no major injuries were reported among the children on the bus.
Road Closure Impact
Manhattan Monee Road between Schoolhouse and Cedar Roads remains closed “until further notice” as investigators continue their work. Traffic cones and a large truck blocked the roadway as seen in video and photo from the scene.
The fire district urged drivers to “avoid the area and use alternate routes.” No timeline has been provided for when the road will reopen.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have not released additional details about what may have caused the crash. The investigation remains active, with more information expected to follow.
The Manhattan School District, fire officials, and Illinois State Police continue coordinating their response to ensure student safety and determine the circumstances that led to the fatal collision.
