‘It Was Pretty Traumatic’: Jenks School Bus Crash Injures 11-Year-Old Student

An 11-year-old student is still recovering from a significant cut, a concussion, and some aches and pains after a Jenks bus driver fell asleep at the wheel Wednesday.

Elizabeth Casey is Alex Coovey’s older sister. She went to the hospital with their mother after the school called to inform them of the incident.

“It was pretty traumatic. When we walked back there, we had been told that it was a small laceration on his forehead, and he was actually completely covered in blood,” said Casey.

In a letter to Jenks parents, the district stated the bus driver was falling asleep, which caused the crash. It occurred on the Cherokee Turnpike around mile marker 6 near Locust Grove.

Alex says he was already scared on the bus before the crash.

“He was taking really sharp turns. It was making us fall out of our seats,” he said.

Alex doesn’t remember hitting his head; he just recalls things getting really bumpy and other kids crying.

“I asked for help, and a teacher came back to the seat, and I thought I had a bloody nose. I didn’t. I obviously had a head injury,” said Alex.

Casey says things could have been much worse but she’s still angry this happened.

“I hope that no one’s child is ever left in his care again. The more we talk about it, the more frustrated I get,” said Casey.

The district informed parents that the bus driver was cited for “inattentive driving,” which caused the crash, according to OHP.

The driver has been fired, and the district says he will never drive for Jenks schools again. The incident has also been reported to the Department of Transportation.