Niles school bus in Route 82 crash

HOWLAND — The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Southington Post, is investigating a state Route 82 crash that involved a Niles City Schools bus.

A 17-year-old student, whose name wasn’t released, was taken to St. Joseph Health Center for possible injuries.

Because of a minor semi-tractor trailer fire, the township fire department had shut down one of the Route 82 lanes.

Traffic was merging about 11 a.m. Tuesday from the right lane into the left lane. A Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Bradly Kincaid, 37, of Steubenville, was traveling in the eastbound lane, slowed down and waited to merge.

A Niles school bus, driven by Patricia Seara, 68, of Niles, with 20 students on board, was traveling behind the car and struck the car in the rear as Kincaid tried to change lanes.

The bus driver was cited for being unable to stop in assured clear distance ahead.

Neither driver nor any of the other students reported injuries at the scene.

The school transportation supervisor responded to the scene and the bus was taken out of service because of damage it sustained.

It will be reinspected by the highway patrol after repairs are made and before it returns to service.