Pickup Truck Driver Flees After Crashing Into Manatee County School Bus

A pickup truck driver fled the scene after sideswiping a Manatee County school bus with 51 students on board Wednesday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. at 57th Street East and State Road 64 in Bradenton. Troopers reported that the school bus had been stopped facing north on 57th Street East when the pickup attempted to pass on the right but failed to maintain a safe distance, striking the right side of the bus.

Following the collision, the pickup driver fled the scene, heading north on 57th Street East before turning east onto State Road 64. As of Wednesday evening, the driver had not been located or identified.

FHP confirmed that none of the 51 students aboard the bus were injured. The crash remains under investigation.

Authorities ask anyone with information about the incident or the vehicle involved to contact the Florida Highway Patrol.