April 18, 2025 | Chester County, SC
A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded on Thursday afternoon when a school bus carrying students from Pine Ridge Middle School overturned on Interstate 77 in Chester County, South Carolina, resulting in the death of a young student and multiple serious injuries.
The victim, identified as 13-year-old Jose Maria Gonzales Linares, was an eighth-grader at Pine Ridge Middle School. He and his classmates were returning from an educational field trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, when the accident occurred.
Authorities say the bus was one of three transporting approximately 35 students and three adults. Preliminary investigations by the South Carolina Highway Patrol indicate that a tire on the bus blew out, causing the vehicle to veer off the highway, strike a guardrail, and overturn.
Emergency crews responded swiftly, transporting at least 11 people to nearby hospitals. Five individuals remain in critical condition as of Friday morning.
“This is a tragedy no family should ever have to endure,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, who offered his condolences and pledged support for the victims’ families.
School officials with Lexington-Richland School District Five confirmed that crisis counselors have been made available to students, staff, and families impacted by the incident.
“Our hearts are broken,” said a district spokesperson. “We are grieving the loss of a beloved student and doing all we can to support our school community through this unimaginable time.”
The South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is leading the ongoing investigation.
Funeral arrangements for Jose Maria Gonzales Linares have not yet been announced. Community members have begun organizing vigils and support efforts for those affected by the crash.
More updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
