Bus Carrying Six Preschool Children Involved in Injury Crash in Meridian, Idaho
A school bus transporting six preschool students was involved in an injury crash Monday afternoon in Meridian, Idaho, prompting an emergency response and an investigation by local police and the district’s transportation contractor. The incident drew attention to student transportation safety in the West Ada School District, one of the largest school districts in the state.
What Happened at Locust Grove Road and Watertower Street
Bus V72, operated by Durham School Services under contract with West Ada, was transporting six preschool-age students to the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind — a program housed at Amity Elementary School — when the crash occurred at the intersection of Locust Grove Road and Watertower Street in Meridian, according to a news release from the West Ada School District.
The accident took place on Monday, April 20. Exact circumstances of the collision were not immediately released by investigators.
Following the crash, one student and the bus monitor were transported by ambulance to St. Luke’s Meridian for evaluation. The district did not release information on their conditions. Three other students were released directly to adult guardians at the scene. The remaining two students were transferred onto another bus and transported to Amity Elementary School as originally planned.
West Ada School District Response and Investigation
The West Ada School District issued a formal statement acknowledging the incident and emphasizing the district’s commitment to student safety.
“The safety of our students is our highest priority, and we take our responsibility to provide safe transportation very seriously,” the district said in its statement.
Both the Meridian Police Department and Durham School Services have launched separate investigations into the cause of the crash. No additional details about contributing factors — such as road conditions, traffic signals, or other vehicles involved — were available at the time of the initial report.
Durham School Services operates student transportation for a number of school districts across the country, including West Ada, under contracted arrangements. The company’s role in the investigation suggests that both the operational and safety protocols of the bus route will be reviewed as part of the inquiry.
Impact on Ada County Families and Special Needs Students
The students aboard Bus V72 were enrolled in services through the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind, a program designed to meet the specialized educational needs of students with hearing and vision impairments. The program’s location at Amity Elementary School in Meridian serves families from across the Treasure Valley.
For families of children with disabilities, reliable and safe transportation is often a critical component of accessing educational services. Any disruption — particularly one involving injury — underscores the responsibility borne by school districts and their contractors when transporting vulnerable student populations.
The West Ada School District is the second-largest school district in Idaho, serving students across Meridian, Eagle, Star, and portions of Boise and Kuna. Transportation safety has been a consistent concern for families across Ada County as the district continues to grow alongside the Treasure Valley’s expanding population.
Ada County families interested in how West Ada handles student transportation policy, or those looking for information on district safety protocols, can find resources through the West Ada School District’s official website. Residents interested in related education topics in Ada County may also want to read about how Boise State alumni are making an impact in local classrooms, or see how local students are being engaged through programs like the ACHD’s annual art contest with an America 250 theme.
What Comes Next
Investigations by both the Meridian Police Department and Durham School Services are ongoing. Findings from those investigations could inform changes to bus routes, intersection safety measures, or transportation contractor protocols within the West Ada School District.
Parents or guardians with questions about the incident or West Ada’s transportation safety policies are encouraged to contact the district directly. Community members concerned about traffic safety at the intersection of Locust Grove Road and Watertower Street may also wish to contact the Ada County Highway District (ACHD), which oversees roadway infrastructure in the area, to inquire about intersection safety evaluations.
Updates on the conditions of the student and bus monitor transported to St. Luke’s Meridian had not been released as of initial reporting.