Sheriff: District ordered airborne bus back to school after students injured

MORRISON, Illinois (KWQC) - Even Sheriff John Booker says the video is disturbing. A school bus of children launches into the air after dipping off the road.

It was caught on camera on Tuesday by a neighbor.

“Anyone that has seen that video can see it was a very terrifying thing watching that bus go airborne in there,” the sheriff said. “I would be upset if my kids, grandkids were on that bus. So I understand people’s concerns.”

Between four and six children were treated at a hospital, the sheriff said. None suffered life-threatening injuries.

“I’m very thankful that no lives were lost in this,” he said. “It could have very easily been a more serious one where, you know, some lives were taken.”

Booker said he wants to set the record straight about how investigators are handling the case.

According to Booker, authorities responded to Tampico Elementary School about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The sheriff said the bus was already back at the school when deputies arrived.

“The driver of the bus had talked with the superintendent, apparently at the school, and for safety concerns and to try and make things easier, they were told to drive back to the school,” he said.

The district did not respond to KWQC’s inquiry on Friday about why the bus left the scene before police or first responders arrived.

At the school, investigators reviewed video of the incident, documented the tire marks, and issued the driver – 40-year-old Timothy J. Spurlock of Rock Falls – a ticket for improper lane usage.

They also took samples for a toxicology test.

The sheriff said he’s aware of Spurlock’s driving record – convictions for excessive speeding and driving without a license – first reported by TV6.

“There was some stuff in the past where his license was suspended,” Booker said. “And stuff like that doesn’t come into effect on how we’re investigating things. We’re looking right at the day of the crash. He had a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash.”

Spurlock told authorities he swerved to avoid a deer. None were visible in the video obtained by TV6.

“That’s going to be one thing that we’re definitely looking at,” Booker said, “to see if there’s any signs that there was any type of wildlife animal or anything on the roadway that he swerved.”

Booker said the investigation isn’t over and more charges could be coming.

“We’re waiting for the results from test results, reviewing all the video, talking to any witnesses, anyone that may have seen this crash that wasn’t on scene,” he said. “By no means is it a closed investigation.”