All students aboard a Hamilton County school bus were uninjured early Wednesday after a multi-vehicle wreck on the 6500 block of Middle Valley Road, officials said.
Ethan Vela, 18, was arrested and charged with driving without a license, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury, reckless driving and improper passing after investigators with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said his vehicle crossed over the double yellow lane divider while attempting to illegally pass another vehicle. Vela, in his red Honda Civic, then struck the school bus nearly head-on. He also struck the vehicle he was attempting to pass.
Vela left the scene of the accident but returned, officials said.
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The crash happened around 6:25 a.m., near the city’s border with the county. According to the Chattanooga Fire Department, a driver needed to be rescued after a vehicle veered off the road into the woods.
Emergency crews checked on the children and made sure the bus, which was in the ditch on the side of the road, was not leaking fuel or oil and not going to tip over while firefighters also worked to free the trapped driver in the other vehicle. The driver was transported to the hospital with injuries, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department. All the children were moved to another bus that was driven to the crash scene.
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Middle Valley Road has had several fatal accidents over the years, including in 2012, 2019, as well as in August and September of this year.
Vela’s bond was set at $2,500, according to online Sheriff’s Office records.
Contact breaking news reporter Mason Edwards at medwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6409.
