JEFFERSON CITY — A 72-year-old Perryville man was killed Tuesday morning in a traffic crash on Route K in Perry County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol in Jefferson City released a report on the crash Tuesday afternoon. According to the report James E. Kennedy was pronounced at the scene by Perry County Coroner Bill Bohnert.
The patrol says Kennedy was the driver of a southbound 2023 Freightliner B2 (school bus) which failed to negotiate a curve. The patrol says Kennedy over-corrected and the vehicle struck a northbound 2006 Sterline Acterra (described as a box truck) driven by 45-year-old Chad M. Taylor of Perryville. The patrol says Taylor escaped injury. After the impact, the Freightliner ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a culvert.
The patrol says Taylor was buckled up, but Kennedy was not.
The crash happened about 6:02 a.m. north of Bluebird Lane.
The school bus was a total loss. The box truck had moderate damage.
Perry County School District No. 32 stated the Freightliner was a school bus assigned to Route 3. Officials with the school district asked parents to bring children to school who would have taken that bus. The district stated “there are no other drivers available at this time.”
There were no children on the school bus at the time of the crash.
The loss of the bus in Tuesday’s tragedy will force the district to make some changes in its bus operations.
The district issued this statement:
With driver shortages already a recurring issue, and the loss of a beloved bus driver, we are making necessary changes to some of our bus routes to help us cut down on our turn arounds and efficiency of our routes.
We understand that making changes during the school year is not ideal; however, we need to maximize the drivers and the few substitutes that we do have. Getting our students to and from school efficiently and safely is of the utmost importance to us. We do not make these changes lightly; however, they are made with the intention of what is best for our students.
You will be notified if and when a change is made to your stop.
We appreciate your patience as we work through these changes.
If you have any questions you can contact Transportation Department at 547-7500 x 1790.
The Perry County School District No. 32 deputy superintendent issued a statement focusing on the human loss in this terrible crash:
September 6, 2022
Dear Pirate Family,
Perry County School District 32 is grieving the loss today of a beloved bus driver. James Kennedy, 72, has been a school bus driver at District 32 since October 2021. He previously drove buses for the Sikeston school district, and was also a truck driver for 40 years. Mr. Kennedy is survived by his daughter Barb Kennedy and her partner Daniel Brooks, who teaches at Perryville High School. He was the uncle of Superintendent Andy Comstock.
Mr. Kennedy died driving his morning route on Hwy K just north of Bluebird Lane. There were no students on the bus when the accident occurred. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that the 2023 Freightliner bus driven by Mr. Kennedy was southbound on Hwy K at 6:02 am Sept. 6 when the Freightliner failed to negotiate a curve in the road, over-corrected, and struck the front of a 2006 Sterling box truck that was northbound on Hwy K. The Freightliner traveled off the left side of the road and struck a culvert. The Highway Patrol reports that Mr. Kennedy was not wearing a safety harness, and that the driver of the box truck was not injured.
The families of the students who ride Mr. Kennedy’s bus were notified earlier today that counselors are available for those students.
We will share funeral arrangements when they are available. Please keep James, his family and friends, and his fellow bus drivers in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Dr. Fara Jones
Deputy Superintendent