Driver cited in New Lisbon school bus crash

The driver who was behind the wheel when a New Lisbon school bus overturned this week with more than two dozen students aboard was cited, the sheriff’s office said Friday.

The Juneau County Sheriff’s Office said the road was ice covered and slippery in numerous spots at 7:36 a.m. on Welch Prairie Road, east of New Lisbon, when the bus slid off the roadway and turned over on its side. At the time of the crash, 30 students were on the bus.

The sheriff’s office said that though the conditions were icy, a vehicle operator is required to drive “according to the existing road conditions.” Therefore the bus driver was cited on suspicion of failure to have the vehicle under control and inattentive driving.

Seven students were taken to the hospital for evaluation Wednesday morning. The other students on board were evaluated by the school nurse for bumps and bruises, the school said.

The Wisconsin State Patrol and the sheriff’s office are investigating the crash, a news release said Friday.