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Bus crash
Five juveniles and two drivers were injured in a three-vehicle crash involving a school bus in McMinn County today.
Around 3:30 p.m., the school bus was traveling west on County Road 116 near the intersection with County Road 130. Benjamin Schultz, 18, was driving behind the bus in a Ford Ranger, Tennessee Highway Patrol officials said.
Schultz passed the school bus in a no-passing zone and crashed head-on into a Chevrolet Tahoe that was traveling east on County Road 130. Schultz's car then hit the side of the school bus, officials said.
The bus contained 25 children ages 10 to 17, and five of them sustained minor injuries. A couple were taken to Athens Community Hospital by emergency medical services, and the rest were taken to the hospital by private vehicles, officials said.
EMS also took the Chevy Tahoe driver, Valerie Waldrop, 54, to the hospital. Schultz also was taken to the hospital by a private vehicle. The driver of the school bus was not injured, officials said.
Schultz was cited for reckless driving and improper passing, officials said.