A tragic incident occurred on Monday in Tennessee when a school bus driver lost her life in a wrong-way crash. The driver, Aleita Gladson, aged 55, was driving on Highway 70 in Hawkins County when an 18-year-old man allegedly drove his pickup truck into the wrong lane, resulting in a head-on collision with the bus.
The crash, which took place around 7:30 a.m., left both vehicles severely damaged, as depicted in footage from the scene. Sadly, Gladson did not survive the impact, while the young man driving the pickup truck sustained injuries. Charges are pending against him as investigations continue.
Emergency responders from the Hawkins County Rescue Squad had to extricate a person from the wreckage and airlift them from the crash site near Willow Road. Additionally, two students on the bus received medical attention for minor injuries.
Hawkins County Schools director Matt Hixson expressed deep sorrow over Gladson's passing, highlighting her significant contributions to the school system over the years. He requested the community to keep Gladson's family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Following the news of her tragic death, tributes poured in from members of the community who remembered Gladson as a dedicated and valued individual. She had been a pivotal part of the school bus system and had touched the lives of many students.
The loss of Aleita Gladson has deeply impacted the Hawkins County community, where she had attended high school before embarking on her career as a bus driver. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is actively involved in the investigation of this heartbreaking incident.
