Accident involves two buses with Williamsville students on board

An injury accident involving the collision of two school buses was reported at 2:25 p.m. Thursday, March 27.

The accident occurred in front of Maple East Elementary School, 1500 Maple Road. The buses had just pulled out of the Maple East driveway and were headed east on Maple Road in the left lane.

An unidentified passenger vehicle made a left turn from another driveway to the school and pulled into the path of one of the buses. The driver of that bus applied the brakes and was struck from behind by the second bus.

The first bus was driven by Debra M. Zdanowicz and had 32 students on board. The second bus was driven by Kathleen Ryan and was carrying 21 students. Ryan was transported to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital for treatment.

Every student was checked by a doctor from the Erie County SMART team, which responded from Erie County Medical Center. The students were allowed to transfer to another bus and were taken home. Several teachers from the school rode along with the students.

The buses involved are from the First Student bus company, which provides transportation for the Williamsville School District. Each bus was towed from Maple East back to the First Student bus garage.

An investigation by the Accident Investigation Unit of the Amherst Police Department, brought charges against Ryan. She was ticketed for following too closely and unsafe speeding for the conditions.