A frightening collision occurred Monday morning in Hamblen County, Tennessee, when a semi truck slammed into a school bus just as the first student of the day was about to step on board.

The accident took place around the entrance of an apartment complex on September 15th, along IS 25E. School bus driver Sharla Conklin had activated the bus’s stop sign and flashing lights while making her first pickup when a semi truck hauling wooden sheets struck the rear of the bus at full speed—without braking.

“It Knocked His Shoe Off”

According to Conklin, the impact pushed the bus forward before any children had entered. One child, who was moments away from stepping onto the bus, was nearly hit. “He said he was getting ready to step up on the bus and then the bus started moving,” she recalled. “It knocked his shoe off.”

Conklin, disoriented by the collision, initially thought there might be a fire. “I didn’t know what had hit me until I got off the bus. My first reaction was to get on the walkie but all the power was out and I just saw smoke,” she said. “I thought ‘I’m getting the heck off this bus.’”

Aftermath and Charges

The semi truck driver, Brandon J. McCrary, was able to exit his vehicle on his own and was transported to a hospital with minor injuries. Conklin was also taken to the hospital, suffering from symptoms of whiplash. Miraculously, no children were injured in the crash.

“It could have been a tragedy,” said Conklin. “Thank God it was my first stop of the day and there were no kids on the bus.” She also expressed frustration that no one initially checked on the truck driver. “How do you miss this? You could have hurt me and these kids,” she added.

McCrary has been charged with reckless driving, failure to exercise due care, and overtaking a stopped school bus, all serious violations under Tennessee law. Authorities have not released additional details as the investigation continues.

According to Citizen Tribune.