On August 22, 2016 at approximately 7:03 a.m., the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office responded to the intersection of S. Avenue 3E and E. 32nd Street in reference to a three vehicle injury collision.
The initial investigation revealed that a red 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck was traveling eastbound on 32nd Street approaching S. Avenue 3E and that the light for eastbound traffic turned red prior to the Dodge truck fully entering the intersection. A Yuma Union High School bus traveling to Kofa High School with 25 students on board and a black 2008 Mazda sedan were both stopped in the left turn lanes on S. Avenue 3E waiting to make left turns to head westbound on 32nd Street. When the lights for the left turn and northbound traffic turned green, the driver of the school bus and Mazda sedan started to negotiate a left turn. The driver of the Dodge truck was unable to stop his vehicle prior to colliding with the Mazda sedan. The collision resulted in the sedan striking the school bus.
The driver of the Dodge Ram, identified as Mr. Andrew Ramos, 29, of Yuma, was evaluated on scene and refused medical attention.
The driver of the Mazda sedan, Ms. Leigh Armstrong, 31, of Yuma, and her two children were transported to the Yuma Regional Medical Center for evaluation and non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the school bus, Ms. Alejandrina Augustin, 46, of Yuma, was evaluated on scene and refused medical attention. Two juveniles on the bus were transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center for evaluation.
At approximately 9:00 a.m., the Yuma Union High School District released information to parents via their blackboard connect that provided instructions for parents to contact Kofa High School directly if they had any questions about their children.
The cause of the collision is still currently under investigation. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this incident.