Police response and injuries reported after Jefferson County school bus collision in downtown Louisville NuLu area

What happened

Louisville police and emergency crews responded to a crash involving a Jefferson County Public Schools bus and a passenger vehicle at the downtown edge of the NuLu neighborhood. The collision occurred at the multi-leg intersection where Baxter Avenue meets East Chestnut Street and East Jefferson Street, an area that carries heavy commuter traffic and serves as a key connection between downtown, NuLu, and nearby residential corridors.

Officers were dispatched shortly after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. The crash damaged both the school bus and the passenger vehicle. The investigation remained active following the initial response.

Injuries and medical response

Authorities said at least 11 people were taken to hospitals: 10 students who were riding the school bus and the driver of the passenger vehicle. Police described the injuries as non-life-threatening. The bus driver was not reported injured.

The bus was carrying 23 students and was en route to Waggener High School. The students transported for evaluation were taken to a children’s hospital for treatment of reported bumps and bruises. The driver of the passenger vehicle was taken to a downtown hospital for treatment.

Preliminary findings on how the crash occurred

Police said their initial investigation indicated the passenger vehicle was attempting a left turn and failed to yield to the school bus, which had the right-of-way. Investigators emphasized that the determination was preliminary and that final findings typically depend on follow-up interviews, roadway and vehicle evidence, and any available video.

Why the location matters

The intersection involved is complex: multiple streets converge at differing angles, with turning movements that can be difficult to judge during peak morning traffic. In school transportation incidents, investigators commonly examine driver visibility, traffic control devices, turning paths, vehicle speed, and whether distraction or roadway conditions played a role.

What happens next

• Police continue reviewing evidence to confirm the sequence of events and determine whether any citations are warranted.
• School district transportation officials typically document bus damage, review driver reports, and coordinate follow-up with families when student medical evaluations occur.
• Traffic impacts are often reassessed at complex intersections after injury crashes, including signage, signal timing, and turning restrictions.

Police said the investigation was ongoing after the crash and described the reported injuries as non-life-threatening.