JEFFERSON COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) - No students were injured Friday afternoon after a Thomas County school bus collided with a trimmed tree in Monticello, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident transpired just after 2:45 p.m. in the area of Waukeenah Highway and East Pinhook Road, the Florida Highway Patrol told WCTV.

Troopers confirmed that 37 people were on board when the incident occurred.

JCSO confirmed to WCTV that the bus was transporting middle school students back home after a field trip when the driver lost control on a curve.

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A press release from FHP confirmed that an elderly male driver, who was unfamiliar with the area, was interacting with a teacher onboard and failed to see the sharp curve to the left, known locally as “Dead Man’s Curve.”

The sheriff’s office reported that the school bus hit a recently cut-down tree just as it was coming to a stop.

Sheriff Mac McNeil also confirmed to WCTV that the Jefferson County School District provided a bus to help transport the students to a nearby church while they awaited another bus from Thomas County.

Furthermore, McNeil confirmed the students were in the church as of 4:30 p.m., enjoying the A/C, water and plenty of Halloween candy.

The crash remains under investigation by FHP and charges are pending.

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