School bus driver lied to CHP about Watsonville crash

UPDATE: 5/9/2018 4:14 p.m. A school bus driver carrying 34 students when he struck a tree and power pole in Watsonville lied to the California Highway Patrol about how the crash happened.

The crash occurred around 7:50 a.m. on April 23. The bus driver, Francisco Valenzuela told CHP that he had to swerve because another car veered into his lane on Casserly Road.

Valenzuela had the students exit the bus even though live wires were scattered all over the street.

None of the students were injured in the accident.

CHP officer Trista Drake told KION a surveillance camera inside the bus revealed that Valenzuela fell asleep at the wheel.

Valenzuela is being charged with false information to a peace officer and child endangerment. He has not been arrested.

PREVIOUS STORY:

A Monte Vista Christian school bus carrying 34 students swerved off the road, struck a tree and power pole in Watsonville.

The California Highway Patrol responded to the accident on Casserly Road at Wheellock Road around 7:50 a.m. Monday. Live wires were scattered all over the street.

Before CHP arrived students were able to get off the bus without any injuries.

Officer Sam Courtney told KION they’ve received reports that a man driving a white car veered into the lane of oncoming traffic and the bus swerved out of the way to avoid getting hit. When asked about evacuating the children with live power lines nearby, he added, “Definitely dangerous getting out of a bus with live power lines nearby. The bus could have been energized…if it had made any contact, just simply touching the ground would have been enough. So very fortunate that no one was hurt getting out of that bus.”

The driver of the white car did not stop and was last seen going eastbound.

Cal Fire said all children boarded another bus and were taken to school.

Casserly will remain closed until the road can be reopened.

Anyone with information can call CHP Santa Cruz at 831-662-0511.

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