Bus driver charged in crash that injured 34 Virginia college students

Virginia State Police say speed was a factor in a bus crash that injured about 36 people, a lot of them college students returning to school at the end of the holiday weekend.

WTVR reports that Abbott Trailways officials said the bus was chartered to take students back to campus after Thanksgiving break.

Thomas Chidester, 58, of Salem, Virginia, was driving the charter bus owned and operated by Abbott Trailways in Roanoke, according to State Police. The driver lost control as the bus was coming around the curve of a highway ramp to another road, leading the vehicle to overturn, Virginia State Police said.

A total of 33 individuals were carried to 6 hospitals, according to Chesterfield Fire and EMS Lt. Jason Elmore.

The bus driver faces a reckless driving charge in connection with a crash.

The University of Virginia campus, home to numerous students involved in the crash this Sunday evening. She said the bus driver was also injured in the incident, which sent the bus onto its side.

There are injuries and passengers have been taken to local hospitals.

The incident occurred about 7:30 p.m. on Route 76 near Route 150. Police said they have been in touch with the National Transportation Safety Board about the crash, which is under investigation.

Virginia State Police are investigating after a bus that is believed to have been shot on the interstate in Virginia Beach was found abandoned in Newport News. One person is suffering from serious injuries.

The bus company added that it dispatched another bus to host students wishing to get to campus when it learned of the injury.