SUBJECT: Motor Vehicle Crash Involving Occupied School Bus

DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT: December 17, 2024, 7:35 a.m.

INCIDENT NUMBER: 24MV013398

TYPE OF EVENT(S): Motor Vehicle Crash

LOCATION OF EVENT(S): 1524 Vermont Route 112, Whitingham

INVESTIGATING INSPECTOR(S): Inspector V. Cole

SUMMARY:  The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles responded to a two-vehicle crash involving an occupied school bus on VT 112 in Whitingham. VT 112 was closed for a short time for investigators to interview drivers/occupants and photograph the scene. Vehicle #1 was a 2016 Honda Pilot operated by Cota Bonna, 18, of Westbury, NY, and lost control on icy roadways and collided with Vehicle#2, a 2024 International School Bus operated by Cathy Morse, 60, of Whitingham. Thirteen children were on the school bus at the time of the crash, and all of them were picked up by parents/guardians or transported by car to the school in Whitingham. Bonna was air-lifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Morse was transported to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for evaluation. A passenger in the Honda Pilot, Victor Bonomi, 18, was transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital with a minor injury. Two students on the bus were treated for a bloody nose and minor cut respectively and released to their parents. The cause of the crash was determined to be icy road conditions. 

The Wilmington Police Department, Vermont State Police, Rescue Inc., Deerfield Vally Rescue, and local fire departments assisted with the crash. A post-crash inspection of the school bus revealed no defects.  Vehicle #1 was removed by Heartwellville Service Center, and Vehicle #2 was removed by A’s Auto & Truck Repair.

This is an informational post made in the interest of transparency and public awareness of the activities of the Department of Motor Vehicles. For more information about a specific incident, please contact DMV HQ at 802-828-2078.