Driver charged after school bus carrying high school football team overturns, injures students

LELAND, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) - The driver of a school bus that overturned on an exit ramp earlier this week has been charged following a police investigation.

According to the Leland Police Department, Annette Blount, 57, faces misdemeanor charges that include reckless driving and exceeding a safe speed.

Authorities said the crash occurred Wednesday when the bus was traveling above the posted speed limit on an exit ramp from northbound U.S. 17 to westbound U.S. 74. The motorcoach left the road and overturned while attempting to negotiate a curve.

The bus was carrying members of the Douglas Byrd High School football team, returning from a football matchup at South Brunswick High School.

Cumberland County Schools operated the bus. Thirty-three people were on board: 26 students and seven adults.

Four people, including two students and two adults, were taken by ambulance to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cumberland County Schools said late Wednesday that all students and staff had been released from the hospital, except for one staff member who remained under medical care out of an abundance of caution.

“We again appreciate the swift response of law enforcement, first responders and medical personnel who assisted our students and staff,” the district said.

Leland police said the crash investigation remains ongoing.