Community Corner

Coroner: Parkland Bus Driver Died From Head Injuries

The cause of death in Monday's accident was not associated with a medical condition.

Lehigh County Deputy Coroner Paul Zondlo said Parkland School District bus driver Kelly E. Smith died from head injuries sustained in Monday's in Upper Macungie.

Police said the empty bus driven by Smith, 42, of Slatington, was westbound on Schantz Road when it veered across the center line, sideswiped a Ford Taurus and hit the Upper Macungie municipal building at approximately 8 a.m.

Berks-Lehigh Regional Police officials said Smith was ejected from the bus upon impact.

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"She came out of the bus. I don't believe she was wearing a seatbelt," Roger Heins, administrative sergeant of Berks-Lehigh Regional Police, had said Monday.

A  speculated that Smith may have suffered some type of medical condition prior to the accident.

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Smith was a veteran driver for the school district, according to Val Strock, the district's garage foreman. Strock said Smith had just completed a run to Parkland High School and was on her way to Green Acres Mobile Home Park to pick up Jaindl Elementary School students when the accident occurred.

The bus weighs about 18,500 pounds and is not equipped with an airbag. The only safety feature for the driver is a shoulder seatbelt.

The accident remains under investigation by Berks-Lehigh Regional Police.


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