School bus with wrestling team passengers struck by SUV on 6th Avenue in Lakewood
December 06, 2025 | Lakewood, CO
Authorities are investigating a serious collision between a white SUV and a school activity bus that sent 19 people to the hospital with varying degrees of injuries.
Andrew Miller, 22, suffered serious injuries when his white SUV struck school activity bus carrying students and coaches at West 6th Avenue and Kipling Street in Lakewood.
What Happened in the Crash?
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of West 6th Avenue and Kipling Street. The SUV, driven by 22-year-old Andrew Miller, struck the bus transporting the Central High School Wrestling Team from Mesa County Valley School District 51.
- Date and Time: Dec. 6, 2025, approximately 7:30 p.m.
- Location: West 6th Avenue and Kipling Street, Lakewood, Colo.
- Vehicles Involved: White SUV and school activity bus
- Occupants: SUV had four people, driver and three passengers, and bus carried 13 students and two coaches
- Response: Local fire, EMS, and Lakewood Police Department attended the scene
The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Lakewood Police Department.
Who Was Injured and How Severe Were the Injuries?
Multiple individuals sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalization.
- Andrew Miller: Serious hip injury needing surgery, crushed ankle, and facial injuries.
- SUV Passengers: Miller's girlfriend and her two younger brothers were critically injured and admitted to the intensive care unit.
- Bus Occupants: Three students and one coach from the wrestling team remained hospitalized as of Sunday.
In total, 19 people were involved, highlighting the potential dangers of intersections involving larger vehicles like school buses.
Why Do Bus Crashes Like This Occur?
Bus accidents often stem from factors such as driver error, road conditions, or mechanical issues. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), school bus crashes result in thousands of injuries annually across the U.S.
Factor |
Contribution to Bus Crashes (FHWA Data) |
|---|
Driver Inattention |
30% |
Intersection Violations |
25% |
Speeding |
15% |
Weather/Road Conditions |
10% |
Vehicle Failure |
5% |
Other |
15% |
Source: Federal Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports on school transportation safety.
Legal Insights
National legal analysts provide guidance on navigating the aftermath of motor vehicle crashes.
“Bus crashes are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents,” said Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal. “In cases such as this, it's imperative to have an independent investigation conducted promptly to protect a victim’s rights. A skilled attorney can protect victims from these entities, which often send their own investigators to crash sites and possess a variety of resources they can utilize to defend a negligent driver. Your lawyer can advocate for you by hiring witnesses, conducting drivers’ background checks, locating witnesses to the crash, and reviewing applicable insurance coverage, while carefully guiding a victim through the legal process.”
Key Takeaways from Analyst Insights:
- Prompt independent investigations preserve evidence and rights.
- Attorneys can counter insurance company tactics effectively.
- Comprehensive reviews of backgrounds and coverage are essential.
- Legal support aids in securing compensation for medical costs, lost income, and suffering.
“Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes.”
Andrew Miller may have the right to pursue personal injury claims pending the investigation.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).