Witnesses have reported a flashing warning light in the northbound lanes of Highway 395 was not functioning when a school bus headed north collided with a sports utility vehicle on Thursday.
A dozen children were transported for treatment on Thursday, most of whom were treated and released. Three children from the Ford Excursion were taken to a Reno medical center, where they were in good and stable condition, according to Trooper Chuck Allen of the Nevada Highway Patrol.
"There were no broken bones and the only reason one of them was in intensive care was because of the child's age," Allen said.
Ruhenstroth resident Bob Chambers said he contacted authorities to report that the warning light was out last week.
"They just fixed the flashing light," Chambers said on Friday. "It went out a week ago. We all expect that thing to be working."
The flashing light warns motorists approaching the intersection of Highway 395, Riverview Drive and Pine Nut Road.
Bus driver Louis Bergandi, 68, of Minden was northbound on Highway 395 with a bus full of children bound for Minden Elementary School from Topaz Ranch Estates.
He collided with a Ford Excursion driven by Kristine B. Hughes, who was making a left turn from Pinenut Road to Highway 395 at about 8:34 a.m. Thursday, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Chambers pointed out that without the warning light, Bergandi would have had a very short time to brake when the light turned red.
Allen said the highway patrol will conduct a level 1 investigation into the accident and then submit their findings to the Douglas County District Attorney's Office to determine disposition.
Investigators try to complete the investigations in 30 days, but Allen said every accident is different.
"Whenever we have another agency involved with an accident we conduct a level one investigation," he said.
No citation has been issued in the accident.
