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Motorcyclist killed, no children hurt after Independence crash involving school bus

A motorcyclist was killed Friday after striking a school bus that was transporting students in Independence, police said.
A motorcyclist was killed Friday after striking a school bus that was transporting students in Independence, police said. AP

A motorcyclist was killed on Friday afternoon after colliding with an Independence Public School District bus that was transporting schoolchildren.

Police officers were first called to investigate the crash around 3:35 p.m. near the intersection of 27th Street and Sterling Avenue. Crash investigators found that the bus driver was making a left turn when the motorcyclist, headed south on Sterling, struck the bus, Sgt. Jason Petersen said in a statement.

The children and the bus driver were uninjured, police said.

Police were withholding the motorcyclist’s identity until family notifications were made.

Independence police continued to investigate the matter as of Friday night. The bus driver was cooperating with police during that process, Petersen said.

Reached by phone Friday afternoon, a school district spokeswoman said staff would be on hand Monday to offer any emotional support services needed for the students affected by the crash.

This story was originally published September 30, 2022 at 5:36 PM.

Bill Lukitsch
The Kansas City Star
Bill Lukitsch covered nighttime breaking news for The Kansas City Star since 2021, focusing on crime, courts and police accountability. Lukitsch previously reported on politics and government for The Quad-City Times.
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