Florida – A devastating school bus accident in Florida left two people dead and dozens injured after a multi-vehicle collision in Winter Haven, Polk County, on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The crash happened around 6:15 a.m. on Lucerne Park Road as a school bus carrying 39 people, including 37 high school students, traveled toward Winter Haven High School. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a white Chevrolet Malibu crossed the center line and struck the rear portion of the bus. The impact caused the bus to lose a tire before it entered the opposite lane and collided with a Jeep.
Student Among Those Killed
Authorities confirmed that a 10th-grade Winter Haven High School student, Adinaluz Guadalupe Prieto Oyola, 16, died in the crash. The driver of the Jeep, Deshaun Smith, 26, was also killed.
The school bus overturned and came to rest on its roof. Emergency crews worked for hours to evacuate students, transport injured victims and reunite children with their families. Thirty-five people were transported to hospitals, with several initially classified as trauma alerts.
The bus driver, who was also injured, managed to free herself and immediately helped students evacuate. Investigators said the bus was traveling in its lane and below the speed limit before the collision.
Investigation Continues
The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu, identified as a nursing student traveling to work, told investigators she did not remember what happened. She has cooperated with authorities and was not expected to face charges based on the information released at the time. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened a federal safety investigation.
The tragedy has deeply affected Winter Haven High School and the surrounding community. A vigil was held for Prieto Oyola as friends and classmates remembered the teenager following the fatal Florida school bus accident.