Northwest Iowa — Earlier this week three siblings in Indiana were killed after being struck by a vehicle that passed a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended and it’s red lights flashing.
Iowa State Patrol Trooper Vince Kurtz says the deaths in Indiana serves to underscore the need for drivers to avoid distractions and stop for school buses.
Trooper Kurtz talks about what is required of motorists when approaching a school bus.
He says the incident in Indiana, which took the lives of twin six-year old boys and their 9-year old sister, illustrates why passing a stopped school bus is dealt with so severely.
In addition to the penalties listed by Trooper Kurtz, if a motorist passes a stopped school bus and a fatality occurs, the driver is also eligible for a long sentence in an Iowa prison.
Avoid distractions, and obey the lights and stop sign on the big yellow buses.
