School bus crash in Glendale serves as safety reminder

GLENDALE, AZ - Four children and a bus driver are recovering Tuesday after a dump truck slammed into their school bus in Glendale, which police say serves as a safety reminder for the community.

The crash happened around 6:50 a.m. Monday when the bus was loading children near 56th and Missouri avenues.

The bus driver and two children were on the bus at the time of the crash, according to Glendale Police. Two girls were getting on the bus when it was hit.

Glendale fire officials say those two children had serious injuries. Police tell us all five were rushed to the hospital. They have non-life threatening injuries, according to police.

Sgt. Max Merritt with Glendale Police says the accident serves as a reminder for children and drivers to be extra careful.

It's common to see buses stopped in a roadway if there isn't a cutout, Merritt said.

This particular bus was pulled over on the right lane of Missouri Avenue. There was no turnout lane. Witnesses say the bus had its stop sign out. 

Police haven't provided an explanation on what caused the dump truck driver to hit the bus.

Sgt. Merritt reminds drivers that it is illegal to pass a school bus when the octagon stop sign is out. According to Arizona state law, drivers on both sides of an undivided highway must stop. You may resume driving when the bus starts moving again.

SafeMotorist.com recommends that students remain at least six feet away from the street when waiting for the bus to pull up.

Also, drivers should be aware of the speed limit. In many elementary school zones, the speed limit is 15 mph.

To view school bus traffic laws, check out the Arizona State Legislature website .