Separate school bus accidents reported minutes apart in valley

By Gregan Wingert

Published Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 | 4:41 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 | 6:51 p.m.

Authorities are investigating two school bus accidents that happened minutes apart this afternoon in different areas of the valley.

The first incident occurred on a freeway on-ramp as the bus was traveling from Tropicana Avenue to southbound Interstate 15. The bus, with 44 students on board, was struck on the right side by a white Kia passenger vehicle, Nevada Highway Patrol officials said.

The collision happen at 3:23 p.m., and the driver of the bus and three students were taken to University Medical Center, officials said. They have since been released, officials said.

The Kia driver was taken to Valley Hospital, officials said.

At 3:26 p.m., an SUV and a school bus carrying passengers collided in North Las Vegas.

North Las Vegas Police said the collision happened on West Carey Avenue and Simmons Street. The 25-year-old male driver of the SUV was taken to University Medical Center and was in critical condition, officials said.

The 51-year-old male bus driver and six students, ages 5 to 10 years old, on board the bus were not injured, police said.

Both crashes were under investigation.