School Bus Crash

On 11/09/2011 at 0736 a Lac Qui Parle Valley School Bus driven by Leonard Meyer of Appleton was travelling eastbound on USTH 12, just west of the intersection of USTH 59. Mr. Meyer experienced a medical condition in which he lost consciousness and slumped down in his seat. The bus travelled off the road into the south ditch and continued eastbound, crossing USTH 59 and came to a rest in a plowed field to the southeast of the intersection.

Ten children were on the bus at that time, ranging in ages from six years old to seventeen years old. One juvenile female was injured from being thrown around. Mr. Meyer then regained consciousness and exited the bus to inspect the bus for any damage. Elizabeth Schliep (17), Joseph Arnold(16), Jennifer Arnold(15)  and Joshua Arnold(12) were all riding the bus that morning. Elizabeth first checked on her sister Kristen, who was injured. Elizabeth and the Arnold children then checked on their bus driver Mr. Meyer. They had said that it appeared that he wanted to attempt to drive the bus. Believing him to have some type of medical problem, they kept him calm and assured him that help would be coming. Joseph Arnold called 911 and alerted emergency medical and law enforcement personnel. The Arnold children and Elizabeth then checked on the young children riding the bus, keeping them calm until help arrived.

On December 9 a presentation was made at the Lac Qui Parle Valley School, honoring these 4 children for staying calm in a stressful situation, assisting their fellow students and helping out their bus driver. They were given Minnesota State Patrol T-shirts, lanyards, and key chains.

Picture left to right: Trooper Kathy Dingman, Joshua Arnold, Jennifer Arnold, Joseph Arnold, Elizabeth Schliep, and Kristen Schliep