FATAL CRASH: 28-year-old Hartford man killed after rear-ending school bus

HARTFORD (WITI) -- A fatal crash involving two vehicles (one of them a school bus) has occurred near the intersection of Highway 83 and Highway K.

Highway K separates the Town of Hartford from the Town of Addison.

Washington County Sheriff's officials say this is the county's second traffic fatality for 2015. It was a rear-end collision between a car and a school bus.

It happened shortly before 4:00 p.m.

Sheriff's officials say the school bus was headed southbound on Highway 83 when it activated its red flashing lights and came to a stop in the southbound lane to allow a student to exit the bus. The bus driver extended the stop arm on the bus, and all flashing lights were activated.

A vehicle operated by a 28-year-old Hartford man failed to stop for the bus, and struck it from behind. That man was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The 54-year-old female bus driver wasn't hurt. The bus was being operated by Wittenberger Bus Service serving the Hartford School District.

Three children were passengers on the bus at the time of the accident. A nine-year-old boy who attends Rossman Elementary School sustained a shoulder injury and was transported to Hartford Hospital by Allenton Rescue. A nine-year-old girl who attends Rossman Elementary School and her sister, a 14-year-old girl who attends Central Middle School did not suffer injuries and were released to a parent at the scene.

Witness statements suggest that inattentive driving and excessive speed may have been factors in the accident. The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates.