VOLGA — A school bus with the Sioux Valley School District was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Thursday night while taking students home from a sporting event in Madison.
No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred on U.S. Highway 81 just south of the junction with U.S. Highway 14 at 7:45 p.m., according to information from the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office in a news release. It was reported the following morning at 8:18 a.m.
The school bus was traveling northbound on U.S. 81 carrying the middle school boys basketball team when it was struck on its side near the front fender by another vehicle — described in the release as either a Pontiac Grand Am or a Chevy Malibu of indeterminate color — that crossed the center line, Assistant Sheriff Scott Sebring wrote in the release.
The driver of the bus pulled over to wait for the other driver to return, but they never did, according to information in the release. While the bus was able to return to Volga under its own power, it did sustain approximately $2,500 in damage.
“We don’t really know anything about the vehicle,” Patrol Sgt. Manny Langstraat said. “We just want people to keep an eye out and let us know if they see anything, (such as) any damage consistent with hitting a school bus — they might see paint transfer or unexplained damage.”
Anyone with information about this case can call the sheriff’s office at 605-696-8300 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously by visiting www.brookingsareacrimestoppers.com or by calling 605-692-STOP (7867).
— Contact Mondell Keck at mkeck@brookingsregister.com.
