A central Minnesota school bus driver is being hailed as a hero for saving “many lives” by dodging a head-on crash with a semitrailer truck that crossed into the wrong lane.
The harrowing incident occurred before sunrise about 7:15 a.m. Wednesday in Kathio Township on Hwy. 169 just north of Shakopee Lake Road, said Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton.
The driver of the northbound semi strayed into the opposite lane, where the Onamia school district bus driver “made a quick maneuver to avoid a complete head-on crash, which undoubtedly saved many lives,” a statement from Burton read.
The semi made a “glancing sideswipe” near the bus’ rear passenger side “instead of a full head-on crash thanks to the quick and heroic efforts” of the bus driver, identified as 52-year-old Brian Lathrop, the statement continued.
Two students among the eight people on board were evaluated for minor injuries, Burton said.
The State Patrol, which is leading the investigation into the crash, identified the trucker as David Garrett, 54, of Racine, Wis.
The sheriff said the truck driver “will be charged at some point.”
Garrett told the Star Tribune that “I was under the impression that I hit black ice” before losing control of his big rig. “That’s basically the kickoff to all those events.”