Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

AUGUSTA

Bus crash injures driver; probe pending

He was alone on the bus

By Craig Crosby ccrosby@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- A school bus driver was hospitalized Wednesday after crashing into the stone steps of a home on South Belfast Avenue.

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A bus driver was injured Wednesday around 8 a.m. when the driver, who was leaving Cony High School, was turning the bus off Pierce Drive to head west on South Belfast Avenue. The bus continued to turn left and struck a retaining wall near a home at 204 South Belfast Ave., officials said.

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Leon Giroux, 65, was taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta after complaining of wrist pain, said Augusta Police Sgt. Christopher Massey.

Giroux was treated and released, according to a hospital spokeswoman. He was alone on the First Student bus at the time of the crash.

The city of Augusta contracts with First Student to provide school bus service. Wednesday was the first day of school for grades 1 through 9.

The accident occurred around 8 a.m. as Giroux, who was leaving Cony High School, was turning the bus off Pierce Drive to head west on South Belfast Avenue. The bus continued to turn left and struck a retaining wall near a home at 204 South Belfast Ave., Massey said.

"The operator complained there was some sort of mechanical issue with the bus," Massey said. "He said there was a problem with the steering and accelerator."

A mechanic from First Student was expected to inspect the bus.

"There will be a follow-up with them," Massey said.

Maureen Richmond, spokeswoman for First Student, declined to comment on what caused the crash until the company's investigation is complete.

Richmond said Giroux has worked for First Student for more than nine years, though he typically works as a dispatcher. He is trained and licensed to drive a school bus, Richmond said, and was working Wednesday as a substitute driver.

The bus, a yellow 2001 International, sustained several thousands of dollars' worth of damage and had to be towed away, Massey said. The retaining wall also had a few thousand dollars' worth of damage.

There are no charges in connection with the crash.

Augusta Schools Superintendent Cornelia Brown she hopes Giroux will recover quickly. "We're very grateful there were no students on the bus and no children were hurt," Brown said.

Craig Crosby--621-5642

ccrosby@centralmaine.com