22 children on school bus reported safe after fatal Hwy. 62 crash Monday

Twenty-two children on a school bus involved in a two-vehicle fatal crash Monday afternoon on Highway 62 at Shady Oak Road are reported to be safe. The driver of the other vehicle died at the scene, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

The fatal crash happened at about 3:50 p.m. Monday when both vehicles were eastbound on Highway 62 at Shady Oak Road, and an Isuzu Rodeo lost control, struck a concrete wall, then collided with the school bus, according to the State Patrol. Both vehicles came to rest in the center median.

No children on the bus sustained any injuries, according to the State Patrol. The bus driver also was believed to be uninjured. The driver of the Isuzu has not been identified, but media reports have described him as a 57-year-old Burnsville man.

The school bus belonged to Playworks Fun, a child care facility owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake. 

A statement issued on behalf of the company said: “A Playworks school bus was involved in an accident this afternoon due to the snowy weather. None of the students were injured, and they were all safely transported home. We were saddened to learn that the driver of the other car passed away as a result of the accident. We will be offering counseling services to any children who were impacted by the experience.”

Passengers on the school bus included some students from the nearby International School of Minnesota (ISM).

On Tuesday, ISM School Director Chris Wester said, “Yesterday evening, a third-party bus transporting ISM students was involved in a motor vehicle accident near Shady Oak Road. Thankfully, the driver and all students aboard were safe and have reported no major injuries. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the other driver.” 

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Nov. 15 to include updated information about the school bus company and to add a statement from the ISM school director.