On Friday morning, March 9, 2012, at approximately 7:37 A.M., the Columbia Township Police Department, as well as the Columbia Township Fire Department/Rescue responded to an accident between a passenger car and a Columbia school bus, at Tiffany near Potter streets in Brooklyn.
The school bus was traveling East on Tiffany, near Potter, as a 1999 Ford Taurus, driven by a 16 year old female Brooklyn resident, was traveling West on Tiffany. There is a curve at that location, and the driver of the Taurus lost control, crossed over the center line, and slid directly in to the front of the school bus. There was no indication or evidence of the bus speeding, nor any other negligence on the part of the bus driver. An independent witness advised the driver of the Taurus was “fishtailing” as she was coming through the curve on Tiffany.
The roads were slightly snow covered at the time of the accident. Of the approximately 25 students on the bus, only two were looked over by rescue and Jackson Community Ambulance (JCA), at the scene. No students were transported for medical treatment. The 16 year old driver of the Taurus was transported by JCA to Allegiance, for minor cuts and bruises and possible soft-tissue injuries.
The 16 year old driver of the Taurus was cited for driving too fast for conditions. Both vehicles were towed from the scene, the bus having sustained minor damage, and the Taurus likely totaled, with the airbags deployed. Additionally, a fire hydrant was struck and damaged by the Taurus, necessitating a temporary shut-down of water in the area, as the hydrant is replaced yet today.
