One bus crash survivor home from hospital

Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

Students got off a school bus at Lakeview School today. Classes were canceled Wednesday because of the bus crash that took the lives of four students.

One patient listed in critical condition has been updated to fair, and another was discharged from the hospital last night. Nine remain hospitalized today in fair or stable condition.

By CURT BROWN, CHAO XIONG and ABBY SIMONS, Star Tribune

Last update: February 21, 2008 - 4:18 PM

COTTONWOOD, MINN. -James Hancock said there wasn't enough time to slam on his brakes or think about what was unfolding in front of him Tuesday as he became entangled in a three-vehicle crash that killed four children.

"I saw the maroon van run a stop sign, it blew over the railroad tracks and hit the bus, sending it sliding into me," Hancock, 47, said from his hospital bed in Sioux Falls, S.D. "The next thing I knew, they were hauling kids out and it was chaos."

The cabinetmaker from Marshall, Minn., was driving his pickup north on Hwy. 23 to Cottonwood on Tuesday afternoon. The school bus, driven by Dennis Devereaux of rural Cottonwood, was coming toward him.

Authorities have identified the van driver as Alianiss Morales, 23, who neighbors say works as a turkey processor at the Jenny-O plant in Montevideo, Minn. She pleaded guilty in 2006 to driving without a valid license and paid a $182 fine. State records show Morales has no valid driver's license but was issued a Minnesota state identification card.

A hospital official said today that one patient listed in critical condition has been updated to fair, and another was discharged from the hospital last night.

Nine remain hospitalized today in fair or stable condition.

An ecumenical prayer service will be at the school at 7 p.m. tonight. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Norm Coleman are expected to attend.

State Patrol officials released few details Wednesday but identified the four fatalities as: brothers Hunter Javens, 9, and Jesse Javens, 13, of Cottonwood; Emilee Olson, 9, of Cottonwood, and Reed Stevens, 12, of Marshall.

Eight students remained hospitalized Wednesday afternoon in Sioux Falls and Marshall, one in critical condition, authorities said during a news conference in Cottonwood.

The drivers of the van and the pickup truck suffered injuries that are not life-threatening. Both are hospitalized.

Hancock said the van collided with the school bus, sending it sliding on its side toward his pickup.

"It kind of rolled on top of me," he said. "I was sitting in my truck and waited till they could get to me. They had to cut me out."

Surgeons inserted a rod into his broken leg, and Hancock said he also suffered a broken hand and chest injuries.

Driver, bus had clean records

The National Transportation Safety Board will assist in the investigation because of the accident's severity, said State Patrol Lt. Brian West.

Carrying 28 students, the bus was on Hwy. 23 and was hit by the van going east on County Road 24, he said.

The drivers of the van and truck were both alone in their vehicles, said Lt. Mark Peterson of the State Patrol. At this point, it is not clear who is at fault, he added.

State records show that both the bus driver -- 53-year-old Dennis Devereaux -- and the 1998 school bus he was driving have clean records. Devereaux had no violations on his record and no mechanical problems were reported when the bus had its annual inspection last Sept. 5, according to Dean Streff, a State Patrol inspector.

The bus is owned by the Palmer Bus Service of North Mankato, "and they do a good job with their equipment," Streff said.

Devereaux was unavailable to comment Wednesday, but his wife, Kathy, said: "We would like everyone to keep the children and their families in their thoughts and prayers."

Asked about her husband's work getting kids off the bus safely, Kathy Devereaux said his "highest priority is the well-being of the children and he was doing what he needed to do at the time to assure the safety of the children."

Paul Walsh contributed to this report. cbrown@startribune.com • 612-673-4767cxiong@startribune.com • 612-673-4391 asimons@startribune.com • 612-673-4921

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