71-Year-Old Woman Killed in Crash Involving School Bus on Highway 98 in Santa Rosa County

A 71-year-old woman from Navarre was killed Wednesday afternoon after her vehicle collided with a school bus on Highway 98 in Santa Rosa County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The fatal crash occurred around 1:43 p.m. on March 11, 2026, along U.S. Highway 98 (Navarre Parkway) near Sunrise Drive, authorities said.

The collision caused major traffic delays and temporarily shut down both eastbound lanes of the highway.

According to troopers, the 71-year-old woman was driving a Chevrolet eastbound on Highway 98 and approaching stopped traffic.

Ahead of her vehicle was a school bus transporting students from Woodlawn Middle School.

Investigators say the woman failed to stop in time and crashed into the rear of the school bus.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but the Navarre woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities confirmed that the school bus was carrying 21 middle school students at the time of the crash.

Fortunately, officials reported that none of the children were injured in the collision.

The Santa Rosa County School District said counselors would be made available to students following the traumatic incident to provide emotional support.

Because the crash involved a fatality and a school bus, authorities closed both eastbound lanes of Highway 98 at Sunrise Drive while investigators documented the scene and emergency crews cleared the roadway.

Drivers experienced significant delays in the area while traffic was rerouted.

Officials later confirmed that the roadway has since reopened.

Rear-End Collisions and Highway Safety

Rear-end crashes are one of the most common types of traffic accidents, particularly in situations where vehicles are approaching slowed or stopped traffic.

These crashes may occur due to:

• Driver distraction (such as texting or phone use)
• Following too closely
• Sudden traffic slowdowns
• Driver fatigue
• Limited visibility or road conditions

On busy highways like Highway 98, traffic congestion can create dangerous conditions when drivers do not have enough time or distance to stop safely.

Legal Considerations in School Bus Crashes

When accidents involve school buses, multiple factors may be investigated to determine liability.

Depending on the circumstances, investigators may examine:

• Whether the driver had sufficient time to stop
• Traffic conditions and visibility
• Whether the bus was properly stopped or signaling
• Vehicle mechanical issues
• Roadway design or traffic control issues

In crashes involving commercial or government-operated vehicles such as school buses, additional safety regulations and procedures often apply.

Investigation Ongoing

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the fatal crash involving a school bus on Highway 98 near Sunrise Drive in Santa Rosa County.

Authorities have not released additional information about the events leading up to the collision.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious accident, speaking with an experienced attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options.