WETHERSFIELD, Hartford County, Conn., Sept. 30, 2026 — A car and a school bus collided Monday morning, September 28, on Route 5 North near the Wethersfield-Hartford line. Three children on the bus reportedly suffered minor injuries.
The crash was reported around 7:45 a.m. between exits 85 and 86, according to a local incident report circulated shortly after the collision.
Emergency crews responded to the scene and the three injured children were reported to have minor injuries.
The left lane of Route 5 North remained closed as of 8:41 a.m. while crews worked the scene, backing up morning commuter traffic in the area.
The cause of the collision remains under review. We hope everyone who was hurt makes a speedy recovery.
What the Numbers Show About School Bus Crashes
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 70 percent of people killed in school-transportation-related crashes were occupants of other vehicles from 2014 through 2023. That figure points to a pattern that surprises many people: the passengers most at risk in these crashes are often not the children on the bus, but the people riding in the cars that collide with them.
School buses are built with reinforced compartments and high seating positions that tend to protect the kids inside during a crash, which helps explain why bus occupants frequently walk away with minor injuries even in a hard hit. The occupants of passenger cars do not have that same structural advantage, and the size and weight difference between a bus and a car can mean more serious outcomes land on the smaller vehicle.
Morning and afternoon drive times, when buses are running fixed routes on ordinary roads and highways, are when most of these collisions happen simply because that is when buses are on the road with the rest of traffic. Multi-lane highways with entrance and exit ramps, like the stretch involved in this incident, add merging and lane-change movements that can complicate a bus's slower, more predictable path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a car accident?
Check for injuries, move to a safe spot if possible, and call 911. Exchange information with the other driver and wait for police to arrive and document the scene before leaving.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
Crashes cluster on busy arterial roads and highway segments with frequent merging, such as areas near exit and entrance ramps, and during peak morning and evening commute hours.
How can drivers lower their chances of a crash?
Leaving extra following distance, slowing down in heavy traffic, and staying alert near school buses and merge points all help reduce the odds of a collision.
What injuries commonly result from car accidents?
Whiplash, bruising, and minor cuts are common in lower-speed crashes, while higher-speed or side-impact collisions can cause broken bones or head injuries.
What to Do After a School Bus Accident in Wethersfield, CT
If you or your child are involved in a school bus crash, get a medical check even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms take hours or days to appear. Keep a record of any treatment received and follow up with a doctor if symptoms like headaches, soreness, or dizziness develop.
Contact your school district's transportation office to report the incident and ask about the official crash report. If you were driving another vehicle involved, notify your insurance company promptly and keep any documentation from police or medical providers. Reach out to local victim support resources if you need help navigating next steps after the crash.
