MORRISTOWN, Tenn. — On the morning of September 15, 2025, a Hamblen County Schools bus was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer on Highway 25 E near Morlock Road.
Incident details: According to the Morristown Police Department, the bus had stopped to pick up a student when the tractor-trailer, carrying lumber, collided with the back of the vehicle. Only one student was on board at the time. Both the student and the bus driver were unharmed. The truck driver was taken to UT Medical Center. Highway 25 E North was closed for an extended period while crews cleared the lumber from the roadway.
Investigation: Police confirmed the crash is under investigation. Authorities continue to review the circumstances that led to the tractor-trailer striking the school bus.
Accidents involving tractor-trailers and school buses are among the most serious roadway emergencies because of the large number of children who may be at risk. School buses are designed with safety features, but the sheer size and weight of a tractor-trailer can overwhelm those protections in a collision. Even when only a few students are on board, the potential for injuries is significant. Emergency responders typically arrive within minutes, providing medical care for the injured, calming students, and ensuring that parents and school officials are notified quickly. Law enforcement also works to secure the scene and redirect traffic, which often remains closed for extended periods to allow safe recovery and investigation.
Authorities investigating accidents of this nature consider a wide range of factors. They may examine whether the tractor-trailer driver was speeding, distracted, or fatigued, and whether the bus had fully stopped to pick up or drop off students. Investigators also review mechanical issues, roadway conditions, and visibility. Witnesses, including other motorists and students, may provide critical information, and video footage from bus cameras can play a central role in reconstructing the events.
Beyond the immediate injuries, crashes involving school buses deeply affect entire communities. Families, teachers, and neighbors all feel the weight of the incident, and schools often provide counseling and support services to help children process what happened. These accidents also reignite conversations about roadway safety near school zones, enforcement of traffic laws requiring drivers to stop for buses, and stricter oversight of commercial truck operations.
While the full findings of the investigation may take time, accidents between tractor-trailers and school buses stand as a reminder of the importance of caution, patience, and accountability. Protecting children on their way to and from school remains a responsibility shared by every driver on the road.
We are grateful no students or school staff were injured in this collision and extend our thoughts to all involved.
Source: WVLT