Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Van crash temporarily sidelines a vehicle; district to consider replacement purchase; driver resigns next week
Summary
A district van carrying six students was struck at an intersection; no injuries were reported and all students were checked at the scene. The district expects the vehicle may be totaled and plans to request an out-of-cycle van purchase. Separately, driver/trainer Matt Simmons submitted his resignation, effective next Friday.
The district reported a van crash that occurred near Route 1 and Route 32 in the afternoon; six students were on board and there were no injuries. Brian and transportation staff said the van’s passenger-side sliding door was struck when a pickup truck turning right collided with the van. Staff and a building administrator on site checked students and notified parents; one student was upset and staff stayed with that child until the parent arrived.
Transportation staff said the van is an older vehicle (just over 50,000 miles) and, given its age and damage, the district expects the insurer may declare it a total loss. Staff notified the district insurance carrier and said the other party’s insurer typically contacts the district after initial notification. Because the loss reduces the active fleet during a period of driver shortage, staff indicated they will likely request approval to purchase a replacement van outside the regular procurement cycle.
The committee clarified drug-and-alcohol testing procedures that apply after crashes: staff said testing is required when there is a fatality, when a vehicle is not drivable, or when a driver receives a citation related to the crash. In this incident the driver was not cited, and staff said testing was not required.
Separately, transportation staff announced that Matt Simmons, a driver and trainer with about three-and-a-half years of service, submitted his resignation; his last day will be next Friday after he completes a scheduled field trip. Staff said Simmons also served as a trainer and that replacing him will be a significant operational loss. The district reported it has a trainer registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to continue training new drivers and will continue licensing work to increase available drivers.
No vote was needed on the incident itself; staff will follow up with insurance and the board if they request an out-of-cycle vehicle purchase.
