Student Dies After Truck, School Bus Crash
Author / Coordinator:  USA
March 2006
PLAINFIELD, Wis. — One student has died of injuries suffered when a semi rammed into the back of a school bus stopped along a rural highway on Tuesday afternoon near Plainfield.
David Senft, 14, died at University of Wisconsin Hospital on Wednesday night. Senft was one of 11 students onboard the bus, which was taking them home from the Tri-County Area School District in Plainfield. The accident happened on Highway 73.
Senft was an eighth-grader at the school. His classmates were notified on Thursday morning, and counselors and clergy met with grieving students, WISC-TV reported.
The bus apparently had its lights flashing prior to the collision. The impact of the crash left the front of the truck demolished and tore open the back of the bus. Upon impact, the two vehicles folded up, similar to an accordion, WISC-TV reported.
The accident happened at about 3:30 p.m., near the Adams-Waushara county line, WISC-TV reported.
Six students were injured as well as the drivers of the bus and truck. They were taken to four different hospitals in Neenah, Madison, Marshfield and Stevens Point.
The driver of the semi — Barry Jacobson, 44 — is currently unconscious and has been put into a medically induced coma to prevent brain damage. Authorities said that standard toxicology tests will be performed on him.
Jacobson has worked for Wayne Transportation for five years, but the owners said that he has not had an accident or a violation in 12 years as a driver. Jacobson reportedly left the company’s location about 30 minutes before the crash on a trip to Tampa.
The bus driver, Susan Steretsbery, 50, was also still in the hospital as of Wednesday night.
The school in Plainfield serves children in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Senft’s family donated his organs, WISC-TV reported.
A fund has been created to help the families of the students involved in the bus crash. Those interested, can send donations to:
Tri-County Crisis Fund
Plainfield Community Bank
P.O. Box 490
Plainfield, WI 54966