The Tennessee Highway Patrol released their report of an accident involving a school bus this morning around 7 a.m. in Cumberland County. It states a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 41-year-old Allison Gelfand of Sparta failed to halt at the stop sign on Cow Pen Road at Mayland Road and hit the side of the bus #1113 operated by 61-year-old Joe Farmer II with 34 students on board. Three pupils were transported by ambulance and two others by private vehicles to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Farmer was not hurt. Gelfand was charged with failure to exercise due care. The highway patrol noted heavy fog conditions present at the time of the crash.

Cumberland County Director of Schools Dr. Ina Maxwell released the following statement regarding the accident:

“On Monday, April 19, 2021, at 6:51 a.m. I was notified that a Cumberland County School Bus was involved in an accident while traveling south on Mayland Road. A Chevrolet truck was traveling east on Cowpen Road when the driver ran a stop sign and collided with the bus.  At that time law enforcement, as well as EMS and the fire department, were called to the scene. Three students were transported by ambulance and two by personal vehicle to the local hospital. None of the injuries were life threatening or serious. Two students were seen by the school nurse upon arrival at school. The remainder of the students were transferred to a different bus and transported to school.”