THP: School bus driver dead after Hawkins County crash
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include information from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, which includes a corrected age, and Hawkins County Schools.
HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — One person is dead after a crash involving a school bus on Highway 70 in Hawkins County on Monday.
According to a report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), a 2005 Chevy Silverado was traveling south on Highway 70 North when it traveled into the northbound lane and hit a school bus near Willow Road. The crash occurred just before 7:30 a.m. according to THP.
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The driver of the school bus, identified by THP as Aleita Gladson, 55, of Rogersville, died as a result of the crash.
The driver of the Silverado was injured in the crash and charges are pending.
Hawkins County Director of Schools Matt Hixson released a statement on the crash Monday afternoon, confirming two juveniles on the bus received only minor injuries.
“But I am heartbroken to report Aleita Gladson has passed away. Aleita was a longtime and valued Hawkins County Schools team member, as a bus driver, as a secretary, and as assistant director within our Transportation Department. Our prayers go out to her family, and we would ask that all those within our Hawkins County community keep Aleita’s family in your prayers as well.”
Matt Hixson, Hawkins County Director of Schools
Hixson said the district’s prayers were also with the driver of the pickup truck and thanked the first responders at the scene of the crash.
News Channel 11 has reached out to the school district and is expecting more details.
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