Video: Pickens County Schools In Mourning

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PICKENS COUNTY, Al.(WCBI)–The Pickens County school bus/suv accident that claimed the life of a veteran school bus driver is still under investigation by the Alabama State Troopers. Meanwhile, the school district is left to mourn its loss of life.

A flag at Pickens County High School speaks volumes in the wake of the friday crash and death of a bus driver. The color purple could be seen everywhere throughout the district Monday. The favorite color of the 58 year old who has served the district for 28 years. Counselors and ministers have been brought in to talk with students as they cope with the tragic situation.

“We assigned counselors, the elementary counselors and the high school counselors to ride Mrs Hood’s bus route. With the new driver, who we put a veteran driver on the route that was familiar with it,” said Superintendent Jamie Chapman/Pickens County Schools.

From what we understand, Hood died in her attempts to keep her kids on that bus safe.

“Of the 14 students injured only three required a hospital stay. Which is a miracle within itself. That bus done what it was suppose to do. It protected those kids and Mrs. Hood done what she needed to do to protect them,” said Superintendent Jamie Chapman/Pickens County Schools.

Reform is a small Pickens County town where emergency responders at the scene knew the driver and the children on board the bus. Response at the scene of the wreck that day appears to have been quick and professional.

“You know you never want to experience anything like that but unfortunately, those things happen and so thats where your training has to kick in and work in that aspect of it,” said Ken Gibson/Pickens County EMA Director.

“We feel as tragic as this has been, we feel blessed that a veteran bus driver made the ultimate sacrifice and protected our kids,” said Chapman.

Of the 14 kids on the bus that day, only one remains at Childrens Hospital in Birmingham recovering from non life threatening injuries. Funeral arraignments have not yet been announced.