Crash injures 6 people after school bus driver runs red light: Police

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) -- A school bus driver was cited after police said he ran a red light and crashed into a car Thursday afternoon in Wilmington, sending six people to the hospital.

The crash happened just before 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of 8th and Washington streets.

According to Wilmington police, a 29-year-old Newark man driving the school bus disregarded a red traffic signal and collided with a car. Police said four students on the bus, along with a 39-year-old woman and her 8-year-old daughter who were inside the car, were taken to area hospitals.

Authorities said the students suffered minor injuries. The woman and her daughter are also expected to recover.

Brittani Christian was attending a mentorship meeting across the street when she rushed over to help.

"It could have been so much worse," Christian said.

Christian said a Wilmington police officer leading the meeting immediately responded to the scene and called for additional help.

"He went right to helping," she said. "He immediately started calling for backup, and everyone just started swarming from every different direction."

As firefighters worked to free the trapped driver of the car, Christian said she stayed with the young girl.

"She was completely covered with what we thought was her blood," Christian said. "We were pulling her pant legs up to make sure it wasn't her blood, and then someone said it was her mom's blood."

Christian praised the actions of first responders, saying they deserved recognition for their quick response.

"Officer Wilson and every other officer that was there, along with everyone from the city of Wilmington that showed up to put hands on deck, I think that they all deserve awards because they are so amazing," she said.

The remaining students on the bus went home with family members at the scene.

Police said the bus driver was issued several traffic summonses. His identity has not been released.