16-YEAR-OLD ROCKPORT GIRL IDENTIFIED AS VICTIM IN FATAL PIKE COUNTY SCHOOL BUS CRASH

PIKE COUNTY, Ill. — Authorities have identified the teenage driver killed Thursday morning in a fiery collision involving a Pleasant Hill School District bus in rural Pike County.

Pike County Coroner David Greenwood identified the victim as Isabella R. Johnson, 16, of Rockport, Illinois.

The crash occurred on U.S. Route 54 west of 165th Avenue, approximately three miles from Atlas.

Preliminary information from Illinois State Police indicates the school bus was slowing to pick up children and had its warning flashers activated when Johnson’s passenger vehicle struck the rear of the bus.

Both vehicles caught fire following the collision.

Johnson died as a result of the crash.

Illinois State Police confirmed that 11 people were aboard the school bus at the time — one driver and 10 students.

No one aboard the bus was injured.

Pleasant Hill Superintendent Kylee Orr said the bus driver followed safety protocols and the students were safely evacuated from the bus. The students then waited at a nearby residence until their parents or guardians arrived.

Earlier information from the district indicated the bus driver also used a fire extinguisher during the emergency response.

The crash prompted a large response from law enforcement and fire agencies and forced U.S. 54 to remain closed for several hours while Illinois State Police investigated.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, and additional information is expected to be released by Illinois State Police.