Winter Haven crash briefing Two killed; inquiry ongoing

Oct 5

In the complete on-scene briefing, Sheriff Grady Judd repeatedly describes the information as preliminary. He says the crash happened around 6:15 that morning on Lucerne Park Road, about a mile and a half from Highway 27. Based on an initial review of bus video, he says a westbound white Chevrolet Malibu crossed the center line for an unknown reason, struck the eastbound school bus near its tandem rear wheels and caused it to lose traction; a tire appeared to have been torn off. The bus then crossed into the westbound lane and hit a silver Jeep head-on, with a third car also involved. A tenth-grade girl on the bus and a person in the Jeep died. He gives 39 bus occupants: 37 Winter Haven High School students, the driver and the driver's nine-year-old daughter. He reports about five to seven trauma alerts, additional minor injuries and one person still critical, stressing that the totals and conditions remain subject to change. Superintendent Frederick Heid describes contacting families, reunification across multiple hospitals, student evacuation drills and the response by more than 100 emergency personnel. Justin Sharpless appeals for prayer and support for the family, classmates, teachers and school staff. Answering reporters, Judd says the Malibu driver had not been arrested and was cooperating; he does not know whether that driver needed hospital treatment. He clarifies that the Jeep caught fire, not the bus, and identifies hospitals receiving patients. He expects the road to remain closed for at least another four or five hours and a further briefing probably the next day, while the traffic-homicide investigation continues. He describes reunification at the Rock Church and confirms Winter Haven High School remained open. No final cause, exact injury total or finding of guilt is established.

On October 5, 2026, a Winter Haven High School bus and three other vehicles were involved in a crash on Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven, Florida. In his on-scene preliminary account, Sheriff Grady Judd says a westbound Chevrolet Malibu crossed the center line for an unknown reason and struck the eastbound bus near its rear wheels, causing it to lose traction and collide head-on with a silver Jeep. A tenth-grade girl on the bus and a person in the Jeep died. Judd reports 39 people aboard the bus: 37 high-school students, the driver and the driver's nine-year-old daughter. He reports about five to seven trauma alerts, other minor injuries and one person still critical, explicitly warning that the numbers and conditions could change. He says the Jeep, rather than the bus, caught fire. The Malibu driver was cooperating and had not been arrested. Superintendent Frederick Heid describes family contact and reunification, evacuation drills and the emergency response; board chair Justin Sharpless appeals for support for the bereaved family and school community. The traffic-homicide investigation was ongoing, and no final cause or finding of criminal responsibility was announced.