UPDATE: Sheriff Issues Press Release On Fatal School Bus Vs Vehicle Crash

SAWYER COUNTY -- A school bus carrying student-athletes was involved in a crash with another vehicle Thursday evening at County Road D and Hwy 40.

The school bus driver was transported to a local hospital and the driver of the other vehicle died as a result of the crash, according to a statement from the Bruce School District.

STATEMENT FROM THE DISTRICT

The Bruce School District’s late bus for athletics was involved in an accident this evening at County Road D and Hwy 40.

Four students who were on the bus were medically evaluated and are under parent or guardian care.

The bus driver was transported to a local hospital.

The driver of the other vehicle died as a result of the accident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the driver of the other vehicle. We are deeply concerned for each of the families involved.

Bruce School District is cooperating with law enforcement’s investigation.

**UPDATE**

The Sawyer County Sheriff's Office issued the following press release earlier today.

PRESS RELEASE

On September 10th, 2020 at 6:34 p.m. the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two- vehicle crash involving a school bus and an SUV at the intersection of State Highway 40 and State Highway 48 in the Town of Weirgor. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Sawyer County EMS, Exeland, Winter and Radisson Fire Departments, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Sawyer County Highway Department.

Initial investigation indicates that a 2015 Bruce School District school bus operated by Sherrie L. Mataczynski, 54, of Exeland, WI was traveling north on State Highway 40. The bus failed to yield the right of way when making a left turn onto State Highway 48 and collided head on with a 2007 Dodge Nitro operated by Renee C. Balko, 40, of Bruce, WI.

The driver of the SUV sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the bus was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. It is unknown at this time as to the extent of her injuries. The four students on the bus, two of which had minor injuries, were treated at the scene and released to their parents/guardian.

The crash remains under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office and Sawyer County Coroner’s Office.