CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The driver of the school bus that crashed Monday near Chattanooga has been arrested and charged with five counts of vehicular manslaughter.
Johnthony Walker, 24, is in custody.
At least five elementary students in Chattanooga have died and many more are hurt after the school bus they were on crashed and wrapped around a tree.
Thirty-five students were on the bus at the time of the crash, WDEF reported.
Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher had said 23 of them have been taken to the hospital, but there may be more kids hurt, as crews were still working on rescuing people who were trapped.
Everyone has since been freed from the bus, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.
The district’s attorney’s office has confirmed six of those students have died.
The severity of the others’ injuries has not yet been reported.
It is unclear at this time what led to the crash, but police said the bus driver is cooperating with them.
The school district said it is bringing in extra counselors to offer support.