Sheldon, Iowa — No injuries were reported in the collision of a Sheldon school bus and a minivan Wednesday morning at the south edge of Sheldon.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, about 8:00 Wednesday morning a 2002 Ford Windstar minivan, driven by 21-year old Michael Austen Howe of Orange City exited Highway 60 at the Business 60 South exit, and attempted a left turn onto Business 60 South. At the same time, a 2008 Thomas school bus, owned by the Sheldon Community Schools, and driven by 35-year old Mark David Pritts of Sheldon, was northbound on Business 60 South, and rear-ended Howe’s minivan. Troopers say both vehicles ended up on the east shoulder.
Howe reportedly told troopers that he didn’t see the school bus due to the bright sunlight. Troopers say that Pritts told them that Howe had failed to stop at the stop sign posted at the end of the off ramp.
According to the trooper’s report, the Sheldon school bus contained 17 children at the time of the crash. Troopers say all of the children showed to be OK, with no injuries whatsoever. Another school bus was summoned to pick up the children and deliver them to class.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, damage to Howe’s minivan is estimated at about $3-thousand, while the school bus sustained an estimated $10-thousand damage in the crash.
Howe was reportedly cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way.
