School bus driver suffers medical emergency before crashing into porch

BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A school bus with elementary school students on board crashed Friday morning into the porch of a home in Butler County, officials said.

The accident happened shortly after 9 a.m. on South Duffy Road in Butler Township.

“We have one witness account that the bus was not travelling at a high rate. It was traveling slow,” Butler Township Police Lt. Matthew Pearson said.

The bus took out a gas meter before hitting the porch and shattering one of the home’s windows.

“Luckily, I wasn't sitting in the living room chair because that's where it hit,” homeowner Edward Wilbert said. “I opened the front door and the bus was sitting there. My porch was gone.”

The bus driver, 71-year-old Gordon Stetzer, was taken to a hospital, according to officials. He had suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash.

In all, 48 kindergarten through fourth grade students were on the bus, which was on its way to Northwest Elementary School. None were injured.

Stetzer worked for the bus company, Valley Lines, for 12 years. However, because of his health he will not continue to drive for the company.

Cox Media Group