St. Johns County, FL (May 23, 2026) – A charter bus carrying students struck a guardrail Friday afternoon along Interstate 95 in St. Johns County, leaving three people hurt and causing traffic disruptions near the St. Johns-Flagler County line.
According to preliminary information, the collision happened around 3:15 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-95. Investigators said the bus’s left-rear tire blew out while the vehicle was traveling in the left lane.
The bus then traveled into the guardrail. Officials reported that 34 high school-aged students and four adults were on board at the time. The driver, identified as a 57-year-old woman from Charlotte, North Carolina, was taken to a nearby hospital along with two teens.
Additional details about the extent of the injuries were not immediately released. Traffic delays were reported in the northbound lanes following the crash.
Investigators are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the tire failure and resulting roadway collision. We are thinking of those injured and wish them a full recovery.
How Tire Failures Can Affect Large Passenger Buses
Tire blowouts on large buses can create dangerous driving conditions within seconds. Because charter buses carry many passengers and have a higher center of gravity than smaller vehicles, sudden tire failures may make steering and braking more difficult for drivers.
Several factors can contribute to tire problems, including overheating, worn tread, underinflation, and debris on the roadway. When a tire fails at highway speeds, the driver may struggle to maintain lane control, especially in heavier traffic.
Safety inspections and regular maintenance are commonly used to help reduce the risk of mechanical failures on commercial buses. During reviews of these types of crashes, investigators may examine tire condition, vehicle maintenance records, and roadway evidence to understand better what happened before the bus left its lane.
