6 Students, Toddler, and Tampa Woman Injured in Fiery School Bus Crash in Manatee County

A frightening crash involving multiple school buses left several people — including six St. Lucie County students, a two-year-old boy, and a Tampa woman — injured on Saturday night in Manatee County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

The collision occurred around 8 p.m. along State Road 70 near Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, where three school buses carrying roughly 90 students and six adults from Fort Pierce Central High School were traveling for a band competition.

FHP investigators reported that all three buses were stopped on the roadside when a Ford SUV, driven by a Tampa woman with a 2-year-old child inside, crashed into the back of one of the buses.

The force of the impact caused a chain reaction, pushing the first bus into the two others parked nearby. Immediately after the collision, the SUV became engulfed in flames.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene, extinguishing the fire and transporting several victims to area hospitals.

• Six students were taken to the hospital for minor injuries and are expected to recover.
• The female driver suffered minor injuries, according to FHP.
• The 2-year-old boy was airlifted to a trauma center with serious injuries.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but troopers confirmed that speed and distraction are being reviewed as potential factors.

Legal Rights for Bus Crash Victims and Their Families

Crashes involving school buses and passenger vehicles can lead to complex legal situations, particularly when minors are involved and multiple parties share responsibility.

Victims and families may be entitled to compensation through personal injury or negligence claims, depending on who is found at fault. Possible at-fault parties in a case like this could include:

• The SUV driver, if negligent driving caused the crash (e.g., distraction, fatigue, or impairment).
• The school district or bus operators, if safety procedures or emergency lighting were insufficient.
• Vehicle manufacturers, if mechanical failure contributed to the crash or the post-collision fire.

Victims of the crash — including injured students, the toddler, and their families — may be able to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses (past and future hospital bills, rehabilitation, etc.)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Lost wages or diminished earning capacity (for injured adults)
• Future care costs, particularly in cases involving children with long-term injuries

For the families of injured minors, it’s especially important to consult an attorney early. Florida law limits the time to file a personal injury claim, and school-related or government-connected crashes often involve special procedural requirements under Florida’s sovereign immunity laws (§768.28, Fla. Stat.).

This means claims against public entities like a school district must follow a specific notice and filing process — typically within three years of the incident.

When multiple vehicles are involved, each driver’s share of responsibility is determined under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law (§768.81). This means a victim can still recover compensation even if they are found partially at fault — though their recovery is reduced by their percentage of responsibility.

In cases involving children or school-related activities, additional protections may apply, and courts often consider the heightened duty of care owed to minors.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent victims and families affected by bus crashes, vehicle fires, and catastrophic traffic collisions throughout Florida.

Our attorneys conduct independent investigations, review black box and maintenance data, and work with accident reconstruction experts to determine exactly how the crash occurred and who is liable.

We cover all costs upfront and only collect fees if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

If you or your child were injured in the Manatee County bus crash or any similar incident, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.

Call (305) 638-4143 for a free and confidential consultation with one of our experienced Florida injury attorneys.