WASHINGTON — A 17-year-old SUV driver is dead after a crash involving a school bus in Frederick County.
According to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 7:15 a.m. on Old Middletown Road. The bus was in the southbound lanes just south of Brussard Road when it was hit by the SUV, which was headed north.
Claire Knight, 17, of Middletown, was killed in the crash. The sheriff’s office said on Facebook Wednesday afternoon that, despite rumors, she was not texting while driving — her cellphone was found in her back pocket.
The bus driver was taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, says Michael Doerr, spokesman for the Frederick County Public Schools.
The only student on the bus was not hurt and was picked up by a guardian.
The bus was on its way to Middletown Middle School, Doerr says.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to raise money for her funeral expenses. As of 10:30 p.m., it was already just short of $13,000.
Before the Middletown Knights ice hockey team plays the Oakdale Bears Thursday afternoon at Skate Frederick, there will be a moment of silence for Knight.
The team’s manager, Krissy Bernazani, tells WTOP the players also plan to wear black armbands with Knight’s initials on them.