Available 
Silver Springs, FL (May 7, 2026) – A pickup truck driver died after a crash involving a Marion County school bus on Wednesday, May 6, on State Road 40 at Southeast 177th Avenue in Silver Springs.
The crash happened around 2:45 p.m. Authorities said the school bus was carrying four students, a driver, and a bus aide at the time of the collision.
Officials said the students were ages five, six, seven, and 10. None of the students, the bus driver, or the aide was injured.
Authorities said the school bus was traveling east on State Road 40 and had stopped at Southeast 177th Avenue before making a left turn. The bus driver reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic while turning, and the bus collided with a pickup truck towing a trailer.
Emergency units extricated the pickup driver from the wreckage, and he was taken to the hospital as a trauma alert and later died from his injuries.
The driver was identified only as a 76-year-old man from Silver Springs. A second school bus was in the area but was not involved in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation. Additional details may become available as authorities continue their review.
Our condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones.
School Bus and Pickup Truck Crashes at Rural Intersections
Crashes involving school buses and smaller vehicles can cause serious harm because of the size difference between them. A pickup truck might absorb heavy impact during a collision, especially when towing a trailer. The weight and movement of both vehicles can affect how severe the crash becomes.
Rural intersections can also create risk when vehicles turn across traffic. Drivers may need to judge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles before entering another lane. A short gap can become dangerous when larger vehicles need more time to complete a turn.
When children are on a school bus, responders also check each passenger for injuries. Even when students appear unhurt, the crash scene might still require road closures, medical checks, and vehicle removal before traffic returns to normal.
