Collage showing Sheriff Grady Judd holding crash photographs during a press conference above a roadway scene with school buses, deputies, and emergency vehicles.

Sheriff Grady Judd and other officials provide an update on the deadly Polk County school bus crash. Below, deputies and emergency crews respond at the scene / Credit: Polk County Sheriff’s Office

UPDATE: Two Killed, Victims Identified as New Details Emerge in Winter Haven School Bus Crash

By Ciara Perez | Senior Multimedia Correspondent
iSkyNews.com

_____

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Two people were killed and dozens of others were taken to hospitals after a devastating school bus crash in Winter Haven Monday morning, and authorities are now releasing new details about what happened in the seconds before impact.

The two people killed were identified as Adinaluz Guadalupe Prieto Oyola, a 10th-grade student at Winter Haven High School, and 26-year-old Deshawn Smith of Haines City, who was driving a Jeep involved in the crash.

During an update Tuesday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Fred Heid and other officials spoke about the victims, the surviving students and the ongoing investigation.

Authorities also showed video from cameras mounted on and inside the school bus, giving investigators a clearer picture of how quickly the crash unfolded.

A Student Remembered by Her School

Adinaluz was a sophomore at Winter Haven High School and, according to school officials, was preparing to attend her first cheerleading practice.

Superintendent Heid spoke about the impact her death has had on students and staff.

Officials said her older brother graduated from Winter Haven High School last year.

In one of the more heartbreaking details shared during the briefing, officials said investigators found numerous messages from family and friends on Adinaluz's phone after the crash, showing just how many people were desperately trying to reach her.

Second Victim Was on His Way to Work

The second person killed, Deshawn Smith, was driving a Jeep westbound on Lucerne Park Road.

Authorities said Smith was on his way to work when the school bus suddenly entered his lane.

Sheriff Judd said Smith essentially had no time or room to avoid the collision.

Video Shows Crash Unfold in Seconds

The crash happened at approximately 6:13 a.m. Monday, October 5, along Lucerne Park Road.

The school bus was traveling eastbound toward Winter Haven High School with 37 students, the bus driver and the driver's 9-year-old child on board.

Investigators said a white Chevrolet Malibu traveling westbound crossed the double-yellow center line and struck the rear wheel area of the school bus.

The impact tore a rear tire from the bus and caused the much larger vehicle to rotate across the roadway.

Sheriff Judd compared the impact to a PIT-style maneuver, where a vehicle is struck near the rear and suddenly forced sideways.

The bus then crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with Smith's Jeep before overturning off the road.

The Jeep caught fire after the crash.

A Kia Forte was also involved when it struck the Malibu following the initial collision.

The entire sequence happened within seconds.

Malibu Driver Identified

Authorities identified the Malibu driver as 23-year-old Maria Jimenez of Haines City.

Investigators said Jimenez is a nursing student and was traveling toward Lakeland Regional Health before the crash.

She survived and was treated and released from the hospital.

According to investigators, Jimenez has been cooperating fully with the Traffic Homicide investigation.

She voluntarily:

Turned over her cellphone to investigators
Provided a blood sample for toxicology testing
Spoke with detectives about what she remembered before the crash

Jimenez reportedly told investigators she does not remember why her vehicle crossed the center line.

Phone Records Reviewed

Investigators said a preliminary review of Jimenez's cellphone showed the phone was last used at approximately 6:02 a.m., about 10 minutes before the crash.

Authorities said there was no additional phone activity until after the collision, when Jimenez used the device to call 911.

Investigators also said a drug recognition evaluator examined Jimenez and found no obvious signs of impairment.

Her blood sample remains part of the ongoing toxicology investigation.

No Criminal Charges Announced

As of Tuesday, no criminal charges had been filed against Jimenez.

Authorities said a traffic citation related to crossing the center line is anticipated based on the evidence gathered so far.

However, investigators stressed that the case remains active and that conclusions could change as toxicology, vehicle data and other evidence are reviewed.

For investigators, one major question remains unanswered:

Why did the Malibu cross the center line?

Speeding Was Not a Factor

Investigators said available video and vehicle data indicate speeding was not a factor in the crash.

The posted speed limit along that section of Lucerne Park Road is 55 mph.

The school bus was traveling at approximately 54 mph immediately before the collision, according to investigators.

Video also shows the bus was in its proper lane before being struck.

Bus Driver Was Not at Fault

The school bus driver was identified as 34-year-old Jessica Dye.

During the briefing, Sheriff Judd addressed Dye's driving history, noting that she had previously been involved in a minor crash in which a school bus she was operating rear-ended another vehicle.

Judd made it clear, however, that the previous incident had nothing to do with Monday's crash.

Investigators say video and other evidence show Dye was in her lane, was not speeding and did not cause the collision.

Authorities said there is no indication she was at fault.

Injured Bus Driver Freed Herself and Helped Students

Officials also shared more about what Dye did immediately after the crash.

Dye was injured and pinned inside the driver's area after the bus overturned.

Despite her injuries, authorities said she managed to free herself and immediately began helping the students around her.

Her own 9-year-old child was also on the bus.

Sheriff Judd praised Dye's actions and said her focus remained on the children, even while she was injured herself.

Several motorists and Good Samaritans also stopped to help, joining first responders as students were evacuated from the bus.

Dozens Taken to Hospitals

There were 39 people aboard the school bus at the time of the crash — 37 students, Dye and Dye's 9-year-old child.

Authorities said 35 people were transported from the scene to area hospitals.

As of Tuesday's briefing, three students remained hospitalized, but officials said all three are expected to recover.

Most of the other students and victims transported following the crash had been treated and released.

More Than 100 First Responders Responded

The crash triggered a massive emergency response.

Officials said more than 100 first responders from multiple agencies responded to the scene, including:

Winter Haven Police Department, Winter Haven Fire Department, Polk County Sheriff's Office and Polk County Fire Rescue.

Crews arrived to find an overturned school bus filled with students, multiple damaged vehicles, injured victims and a Jeep on fire.

Officials credited first responders, school employees, motorists and Good Samaritans who stopped to help in the chaotic minutes after the crash.

Investigation Continues

Sheriff Judd stressed that investigators were still only about a day into what is expected to be a detailed Traffic Homicide investigation.

Detectives continue to examine:

Vehicle data, school bus camera footage, roadway evidence, cellphone records, witness statements, toxicology results and physical evidence from the vehicles.

At this point, investigators know the Malibu crossed the center line and struck the bus.

What they still do not know is why it happened.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Homicide Unit continues to investigate.