The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a serious school bus crash that occurred on March 4, 2024, in Millstone, West Virginia.
According to information shared with the Clinton County School Safety Commission by Michael LaRocco of the Indiana Department of Education, the report was officially released on April 23, 2026.
The crash resulted in significant injuries, including three students who were seriously hurt—one of whom lost a leg—and 16 additional students who sustained minor injuries.
The NTSB concluded that the driver of the school bus was impaired by alcohol at the time of the crash. Investigators also determined that the absence of lap/shoulder seat belts contributed to the severity of the injuries.
As a result of its findings, the NTSB recommended that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems designed to prevent operation when impairment is detected. The agency also reiterated prior recommendations calling for lap/shoulder seat belts on all new school buses.
Officials noted that while the NTSB conducts investigations and issues safety recommendations, it does not have regulatory authority to enforce changes.
The report also indicated that the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) did not receive any specific safety recommendations in this case.