Saline County, KS — January 28, 2025, Lelisa Chase, Marvin Steenbock and two others were injured in a bus accident at about 4 p.m. on northbound Interstate 135/U.S. Route 81.

Authorities said a 2024 Buick Encore tried to make a U-turn in front of a school bus after entering the highway from westbound Interstate 70. The bus hit the SUV, forcing both vehicles into the median.

The Buick driver, 83-year-old Marvin Leroy Steenbock, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities. Lelisa Dawn Chase, 29, the driver of the Lyons Unified School District bus, and two teens were hospitalized with minor injuries.

The bus, which has 23 passengers, reportedly was bound for a basketball game in Minnesota. The game was canceled after the crash.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time.

The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary

When a crash involves a passenger vehicle making a U-turn in front of a larger vehicle like a school bus, the key issue is whether the turn was made safely. The collision in Saline County raises several investigative concerns that must be addressed to understand why the crash occurred and whether it could have been prevented.

One of the first questions is whether the U-turn was made legally and with enough clearance for the bus to react. On highways and high-speed roadways, sudden or improper U-turns can leave other drivers with little time to adjust. Investigators should review traffic camera footage, witness statements and any available vehicle data to determine how the turn was executed and whether the bus had any opportunity to avoid the collision.

Another factor is road design. Some highway interchanges have designated areas where vehicles can safely turn around, while others make U-turns difficult or unsafe due to limited visibility or high traffic speeds. Investigators should determine whether this location is known for similar crashes or if poor design contributed to the collision.

The bus driver’s response to the crash also warrants review. School buses are designed to protect passengers in a crash, but they still require significant stopping distance. Investigators should analyze data from the bus’s onboard systems to assess its speed and braking before impact. Additionally, they should confirm that all safety protocols were followed, including the proper use of seat belts or other restraints for passengers.

Finally, any investigation into a crash involving a school bus should consider whether driver training and safety procedures were followed. School bus drivers undergo specific training to handle emergency situations, and reviewing the driver’s actions before and after impact will help determine whether all appropriate measures were taken.

Crashes like this demonstrate the dangers of unexpected vehicle maneuvers on highways. A full investigation should examine whether road design, driver actions or other external factors played a role in this crash.