Driver killed after car collides with school bus in Will County

Driver killed after car collides with school bus in Will County

One person was killed, and several children were taken to hospitals for evaluation after a school bus and a vehicle collided Wednesday morning in suburban Manhattan.

MANHATTAN, Ill. - One person was killed, and several children were taken to hospitals for evaluation after a school bus and a vehicle collided Wednesday morning in suburban Manhattan.

What we know:

The crash happened around 8:25 a.m. near the intersection of Manhattan-Monee Road and Kankakee roads, according to village officials. Crews from the Manhattan Fire Protection District found a school bus carrying 10 students from District 114 and a driver along with a heavily damaged passenger vehicle.

The driver of that vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Their identity has not yet been released.

All students were evaluated at the scene and taken to local hospitals for precautionary measures. Their parents and guardians have been contacted.

Manhattan Monee Road was closed between Schoolhouse and Cedar roads.

SkyFox flew over the scene earlier in the day, showing a large emergency response and debris scattered across the intersection.

What they're saying:

Neighbors who live nearby say the crash was disturbing to witness and not surprising.

Steve Nichols, a longtime resident, says drivers regularly speed through the area and that serious crashes are common. He says residents have repeatedly raised concerns with the village about safety at the intersection, including crashes that required airlifts, but believes little has changed.

When asked about those concerns, the mayor of Manhattan provided the following statement:

"This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the driver who lost their life this morning. Any loss of life on our roads is unacceptable. These recent fatal crashes have occurred on roads maintained by the State of Illinois through IDOT, and the Village has consistently pressed the state to address residents’ safety concerns, including meeting directly with state officials and IDOT on November 25, 2025. Following that meeting, traffic safety changes were implemented on state-maintained roads, and we will continue advocating for additional improvements to help prevent future tragedies," a statement from Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen said.

Nichols says more needs to be done, adding that limited visibility and speeding traffic make it difficult  and dangerous  for families pulling out of their driveways.

What's next:

Illinois State Police are investigating the crash.

Fox 32 has requested data on how many crashes have occurred at this intersection and what additional safety measures, if any, could be implemented.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.