WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA — A devastating school bus crash in Winter Haven, Florida, killed two people Monday morning, October 5, 2026, including a 10th-grade Winter Haven High School student and an occupant of a silver Jeep.
The collision occurred shortly after 6 a.m. on Lucerne Park Road, west of Jacaranda Avenue and near the Brookhaven Village community. The school bus was carrying students to Winter Haven High School when it became involved in a multi-vehicle crash that ultimately left the bus overturned.
What Happened in the Winter Haven School Bus Crash?
According to preliminary information released by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the school bus was traveling eastbound on Lucerne Park Road when a westbound white Chevrolet Malibu crossed the center line for reasons that remained under investigation.
The Malibu struck the rear tandem wheels of the school bus. The impact caused the bus to lose traction and lose a tire before crossing into the westbound lane.
The bus then collided head-on with a silver Jeep. The Jeep caught fire, while the school bus overturned and came to rest in a ditch.
A third passenger vehicle was also involved in the chain-reaction crash.
Winter Haven High School Student Killed
The crash claimed the life of a 10th-grade girl who was traveling aboard the school bus.
Authorities had not publicly released the student’s name in the latest information available.
The school bus was carrying 39 people, including 37 Winter Haven High School students, the bus driver and the driver’s 9-year-old daughter.
The death has brought grief to the Winter Haven High School community as students, families and school officials deal with the aftermath of the tragedy.
Jeep Occupant Also Dies
A second person was killed in the collision. Authorities identified the other fatality as a person inside the silver Jeep that was struck by the overturned school bus.
The Jeep caught fire following the impact.
Several other people were transported to hospitals after the crash. Emergency crews used ambulances, medical helicopters and private vehicles to take injured people for treatment.
Officials said one patient remained in critical condition, while other injured people were receiving care or had been treated and released.
Lucerne Park Road Closed in Both Directions
The serious crash forced the closure of Lucerne Park Road in both directions.
The affected section stretched from Old Lucerne Park Road to the Walmart Distribution Center. The crash occurred approximately 1½ miles west of U.S. 27.
Drivers were advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene.
The closure also created significant disruption for morning traffic in the Winter Haven area.
