Harrison, SD (September 24, 2025) – A collision between a school bus and a semi-truck at a rural intersection northwest of Harrison left five people injured last week.
Accident Details: The crash occurred just before 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at an uncontrolled intersection. Three students aboard the bus sustained serious injuries, along with the drivers of both vehicles. While all injuries were described as serious, officials confirmed that none were believed to be life-threatening.
According to the Mitchell Republic, the semi-truck was being operated by a 17-year-old driver from Corsica at the time of the crash. Law enforcement has stated that charges are pending for failure to yield and for not wearing a seatbelt.
Investigation: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash. Their work will focus on reconstructing the sequence of events to determine the cause of the collision. Investigators will examine the layout of the uncontrolled intersection, traffic patterns in the area, and visibility conditions at the time of impact.
They will also gather physical evidence such as skid marks, debris fields, and damage to both vehicles to establish how fast each was traveling and from which direction they approached. Interviews with students, school staff, and nearby residents may provide further context about what unfolded in the seconds leading up to the crash.
Authorities will investigate whether the proper licensing requirements were met. Compliance with safety measures, including the use of seatbelts by both drivers, will also be evaluated.
Legal Considerations: Authorities will examine whether the proper licensing requirements were met. Compliance with safety measures, including seatbelt use by both drivers, will also be evaluated, along with logbook accuracy, adherence to hours-of-service limits, and compliance with federal trucking safety regulations.
If negligence is confirmed, those injured in the collision may have the right to pursue personal injury claims. Compensation in such cases can include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages for adults who are unable to work during recovery, and damages for pain and suffering. Families of the injured children may also be able to recover damages related to ongoing care, educational impacts, or long-term consequences of serious injuries.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol’s investigation—through crash reconstruction, witness accounts, and vehicle inspections—will be essential in determining responsibility and guiding the process.
My thoughts are with the children and drivers injured in this collision, and I wish them a swift recovery.
Source: Mitchell Now