One Dozen People Injured in Cole County Bus Accident

One dozen people were injured after a bus driver fell asleep and the bus crashed in Cole County early Thursday morning.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that an eastbound 2007 Prevost H3 Coach, driven by 62-year-old Thomas A. Babbitt of Boonville, was on US 54, 300 feet east of Farm View Road (between Eldon and Jeff City) around 2:30 a.m., when Babbitt fell asleep and the bus traveled off the left side of the roadway, through the median, struck a ditch, across the westbound lanes of 54, struck another ditch, struck a house, then a shed and a fence before coming to rest in a field.

12 people suffered minor injuries, including seven teenagers from Jefferson City. The rest were either from Jeff City or Russelville.

They were all taken to either St. Mary's or Capital Regional Hospital for treatment.
The bus had extensive damage and was towed from the scene.

Six adults and 22 children from the Immanuel Lutheran School in Honey Creek were on their way back from a National Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas when the accident occurred.

Cole County Deputies assisted the Patrol.