Tragic School Bus Crash Near Gulf Shores Claims Life Of 15-Year-Old Girl

Tragic School Bus Crash Near Gulf Shores Claims Life Of 15-Year-Old Girl

Investigation launched as driver tested positive for drugs following accident injuring 20 others

On January 30, 2025, the peaceful morning hours took a tragic turn as a school bus accident occurred near Châteaudun, Eure-et-Loir, claiming the life of 15-year-old Johanna and injuring 20 other students.

At approximately 7:40 AM, the bus, operated by Transports Rémi, was transporting 35 students when it veered off the D927 road. According to reports from the prefecture, emergency services were alerted about the accident shortly after it occurred, with the first call made at 7:38 AM.

Reports indicate Johanna, who attended Émile Zola High School, died at the scene. The prefecture later confirmed the presence of 20 children with injuries categorized as “urgent relative.” Fourteen of the wounded were transported to the hospital in Châteaudun, and medical services established advanced medical posts nearby to manage the crisis.

The driver, 26, reported to be uninjured, was placed under custody following the incident. Initial tests on him returned positive for illegal substances, but this finding requires verification through blood tests. Frédéric Chevallier, the public prosecutor of Chartres, noted, “A blood sample was taken urgently to confirm the presence of narcotics.”

The driver explained during his interrogation, “I tried to avoid another vehicle driving too close to the dividing line and ended up going off the road.” The circumstances of the accident remain under investigation, with authorities focusing on road safety conditions and previous alerts concerning the danger of the route.

Emotions ran high across the region after the news broke. Jean-Philippe Agresti, the academic rector of the Centre-Val de Loire region, expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “I’ve learned with deep sadness about the death of this student and wish to extend my thoughts to her family and friends.” Minister of Education Élisabeth Borne echoed these sentiments and expressed her intentions to visit Châteaudun to meet with the students and educators.

The local mayor, Fabien Verdier, lamented the road’s dangers, indicating he had previously highlighted issues with the D927, described as “winding.” He emphasized, “It’s incredibly saddening to see our young and innocent students affected by such tragedy.” Yet, some officials, including Philippe Vigier, a deputy for Eure-et-Loir, stated the segment of the road had not been classified as particularly hazardous. They noted heavy rainfall was occurring at the time, which may have contributed to the accident.