Truck plows through school bus garage in southwestern Minnesota

The driver choked on water, passed out and ran off the road, officials said.

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: August 20, 2008 - 10:48 AM

The operator of a school bus company in southwestern Minnesota now knows that three of his buses won't make the grade.

A semitrailer truck carrying a load of grain crashed through two garages belonging to the Tyler Bus Service in Tyler, Minn., Tuesday afternoon, and severely damaged three buses and the buildings, said Bruce Baartman, manager.

Department of Transportation officials were to conduct a safety inspection of the company's 15 school buses Tuesday, Baartman said.

The truck driver, identified as Johnny Gabriel, was drinking water and began choking as he drove east on Hwy. 14, according to the State Patrol. He lost consciousness and ran off the road at around 3:30 p.m.

The rig traveled 500 feet before plowing through two garages, hitting one bus that was in a wash bay and two buses parked outside, Baartman said.

Baartman estimated damage to one of the garages to be at least $200,000. The buses are a total loss.

Baartman said three replacement buses will be brought in before school starts in fall. The company provides service for the Russel-Tyler-Ruthton School District.

No one was in the building or on the buses when the accident happened.

Gabriel, 47, of Okabena, Minn., was treated for minor cuts, the patrol said.