Into the ditch

PITTSVILLE -- A Wicomico County school bus with three children aboard went into a ditch and flipped onto its side during a three-vehicle accident Friday afternoon, causing minor injuries to the children and the vehicle's driver.



The driver of the bus, 39-year-old Sherron Mills of Salisbury, was not charged. The other drivers -- Lori Thomas, 46, of Lewes and Marvin Ward, 44, of Salisbury -- were cited for negligence, according to Maryland State Police in Salisbury.

The accident happened just after 4 p.m. on Route 353 in Pittsville when Thomas, in a Chevrolet passenger car, and Ward, in an SUV, both attempted to pass the bus at the same time, the MSP said. The vehicles were traveling south on Gumboro near Workman Road in Pittsville, when Thomas attempted to pass both the bus and Ward, the MSP said. Almost simultaneously, Ward attempted to pass the bus, sending Thomas into the grassy road shoulder where she lost control and collided with the bus on the driver's side.

The impact pushed the bus into a ditch and onto its side, causing minor injuries among bus passengers, the MSP said.

Thomas also had minor injuries, authorities also said.

She was charged with reckless and negligent driving and other minor traffic violations, the MSP said. Ward was charged with negligent driving and unsafe lane changing, the agency reported.

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