A heavily damaged yellow school bus lies overturned beside Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven following a fatal multi-vehicle crash on October 5, 2026.

A school bus rests overturned and severely damaged off Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven following a deadly multi-vehicle crash Monday morning. Authorities said a 10th-grade student and another person were killed, while 26 children were taken to area hospitals. Photo credit: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

10th-Grade Girl, Another Person Killed in Tragic Winter Haven School Bus Crash; 26 Children Taken to Hospitals

By Ciara Perez | Senior Multimedia Correspondent, iSkyNews.com
Monday, October 5, 2026

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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A normal Monday morning trip to school turned into tragedy after a school bus carrying dozens of students was involved in a violent multi-vehicle crash and overturned in northeast Winter Haven, killing a 10th-grade girl and another person.

The crash happened at approximately 6:13 a.m. on Lucerne Park Road, also known as State Road 544, about 1.5 miles west of U.S. 27, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Map showing the location of the fatal school bus crash on Lucerne Park Road, also known as State Road 544, west of U.S. 27 in northeast Winter Haven, Florida.

A map provided by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office shows the location of the deadly school bus crash along Lucerne Park Road (State Road 544), approximately 1.5 miles west of U.S. 27 in northeast Winter Haven. Photo credit: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described the scene as a “terrible, tragic morning” during a news conference following the crash.

According to investigators, preliminary video shows school bus No. 1819 was traveling eastbound in its proper lanewhen a white Chevrolet Malibu traveling westbound crossed the center line for reasons that remain under investigation.

The Malibu struck the tandem rear wheels of the school bus, causing the bus to lose control. Judd said the impact had an effect similar to a reverse PIT maneuver and resulted in one of the bus tires being ripped away.

The school bus then crossed into the westbound lanes, where it collided head-on with a silver Jeep before overturning off the roadway.

The Jeep caught fire following the collision. Authorities clarified during the news conference that the school bus itself did not catch fire.

A third passenger vehicle was also caught up in the crash, bringing the total number of vehicles involved to four — the school bus and three passenger vehicles.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office vehicles, emergency crews and school buses line Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven following a fatal school bus crash on October 5, 2026.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and emergency crews respond along Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven following a deadly multi-vehicle crash involving a school bus Monday morning. Photo credit: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

39 People Were Aboard the School Bus

Authorities said 39 people were on the school bus at the time of the crash.

That included 37 students traveling to Winter Haven High School, the bus driver and the driver’s 9-year-old daughter.

Among the students was a 10th-grade girl who was killed in the crash.

A second person, who was inside the silver Jeep, was also killed.

Authorities had not publicly identified either victim as of Monday morning.

The loss of a student sent shockwaves through the Winter Haven community as families waited for information about their children.

26 Children Taken to Hospitals

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 26 children were taken to area hospitals following the crash.

Emergency crews issued approximately five to seven trauma alerts, and patients were transported from the scene by ambulances, medical helicopters and private vehicles.

At the time of the morning news conference, authorities said one patient remained in critical condition, while several others continued to receive treatment.

More than 100 first responders from multiple agencies were involved in the massive emergency response.

Some students were able to use their cell phones following the crash to contact their families while emergency crews, law enforcement and school officials worked to account for everyone involved.

A heavy-duty tow truck works beside an overturned school bus along Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven following a deadly multi-vehicle crash on October 5, 2026.

Recovery crews work to remove an overturned school bus from the roadside along Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven following Monday morning’s deadly multi-vehicle crash. Photo credit: Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Bus Evacuation Training May Have Helped Save Lives

Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Fred Heid joined Sheriff Judd during the news conference and spoke about the devastating impact of the crash on students, families and the school district.

Heid said students regularly participate in school bus evacuation drills, which teach them how to get out of a bus during an emergency.

Despite the bus ending up upside down and sustaining significant damage, many students were able to escape.

Officials said they were fortunate the number of serious injuries was not even higher considering the severity of the crash.

School district personnel were also sent to area hospitals to help students and their families.

One of the biggest unanswered questions Monday morning was why the Chevrolet Malibu crossed into the school bus’s lane.

Authorities said the Malibu driver was reportedly traveling to work at the time of the crash.

The driver survived and is cooperating with investigators.

As of the morning news conference, authorities had not announced an arrest or determined what caused the driver to cross the center line.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating.

Lucerne Park Road remained closed in both directions while investigators documented the scene and crews worked to remove the damaged vehicles.

Another update from authorities is expected as the investigation continues.

For families across Winter Haven, however, Monday morning brought the kind of news no parent ever wants to receive — two lives lost, 26 children taken to hospitals, and dozens of students affected by a devastating crash during what should have been an ordinary ride to school.

This is a developing story. iSkyNews.com will continue to update this report as additional confirmed information is released by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Public Schools.

Source: Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff Grady Judd; Polk County Public Schools.

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