School bus incident injures students; driver cited, investigation ongoing in Whiteside County

TAMPICO, Ill. (KWQC) - A Whiteside County school bus went off the road and into a ditch Tuesday afternoon, sending four students to a local hospital for evaluation.

Authorities said the injuries were believed to be non-life-threatening, and the incident remains under investigation.

According to the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a report of a possible crash at about 3:55 p.m. Tuesday. Deputies responded to the area and later located the bus at Tampico Elementary School.

Investigators identified the driver as 40-year-old Timothy J. Spurlock of Rock Falls. The sheriff’s office said Spurlock was cited for improper lane usage and released with a mandatory court appearance.

District officials with the Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico Community Unit School District said students were assessed and no serious injuries were reported, though four students were transported to the hospital for further evaluation and were later released.

Sheriff John Booker said the injuries were believed to be non-life-threatening, and multiple EMS agencies and the Tampico Police Department assisted.

ABOUT THE DRIVER

Spurlock has pleaded guilty to other violations in the past. According to Whiteside County court records, Spurlock has been guilty of:

• 2008: Driving more than 31 mph over
• 2010: Theft
• 2015: Driving with a suspended license

A charge of aggravated speeding in a school zone was dismissed in 2017.

District officials said all bus drivers are required to have the appropriate state licensure. The district also said all school employees are fingerprinted through the Regional Office of Education and undergo background checks required by board policy and state law. The district said background check reports are prepared by FIRM Systems using Illinois and FBI databases.

Bus drivers have to have a clean record in the past year for:

• DUI
• Reckless driving
• Fleeing police
• Driving with a suspended license

In Tuesday’s incident, Spurlock was cited and ordered to appear in court.

In a statement, officials with Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico Community Unit School District wrote they are working with police and are following all required steps under school policy and state law as the investigation continues.

District officials full statement

The District acknowledges that an incident involving one of our school buses occurred on March 10, 2026. The bus, while being operated, left the roadway and entered a ditch area before being able to be brought to a stop. Students were on the bus being transported home from school at the time of the accident. District officials promptly contacted EMS and law enforcement to respond to Tampico Elementary School where the bus was located. All students were assessed and no serious injuries were reported. Four individuals were transported to the hospital for further evaluation and then released.

Pursuant to District policy the matter is under investigation. The District continues to fully cooperate with law enforcement. All steps, after such an incident, applicable to a District employee under Board Policy and State law are being implemented as part of the investigation.

We are grateful that no serious injuries occurred and all parents were promptly notified. The Board and Administration are appreciative to all of the first responders who assisted at the scene.

At this time there are no further details to be released.