Five People Injured In Freeport YMCA Bus Accident

Bus Accident - July 24, 2025

Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois Bus Involved in Freeport Accident That Injured Three Children and Two Adults

Five People Injured In Freeport YMCA Bus Accident

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS (July 24, 2025) – At least five people were injured in a Freeport YMCA bus accident along Rink Road.

Stephenson County officials are saying that the collision took place around 9:15 AM on Thursday. A Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois bus was carrying 22 people as part of a field trip.

For undetermined reasons, the YMCA bus left the highway and crashed into an electrical box. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the crash in order to help the victims.

Paramedics were called to the scene to help all of the victims. A total of three children and two adults were injured in the crash and hospitalized.

It remains unclear what may have caused the YMCA bus to leave Rink Road. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Stephenson County Bus Accidents

School buses tend to be very safe for passengers. But they are still involved in many serious accidents every year. According to the National Safety Council, “School bus-related crashes killed 128 people nationwide in 2023, up 23% compared to the 104 deaths in 2022, according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).” There are several factors that could contribute to any bus accident.

  • Speed: Bus drivers are substantially more likely to lose control of their vehicles if they are speeding.
  • Weather: Inclement weather can also contribute to bus accidents. Roadways could lead to a driver losing control, especially along a turn.
  • Vehicle System Failures: Buses tend to have a high utilization rate. Without proper maintenance, the component parts of buses could sustain catastrophic failures.

Buses are considered common carriers. Their drivers must operate with an abundance of caution to avoid causing harm to their passengers. Among other things, they must operate their vehicle at a safe speed at all times. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-709, a vehicle shall be driven entirely within a single lane of traffic and not move from that lane unless such a movement can be undertaken with reasonable safety. When a bus driver diverts from their lane of traffic and collides with a fixed object, this could be construed as negligence.

Liability for a bus accident could extend beyond any driver deemed to be at fault. Employers in Illinois are vicariously liable for the wrongful conduct of their employees–insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. This could include an organization like the YMCA or a third-party service that operated a bus service. It is essential that steps are taken after any bus accident.

  • Photos of the accident site should be taken.
  • Medical records related to any injuries should be preserved.
  • The circumstances surrounding any bus accident should be investigated.
  • An experienced bus accident attorney should be contacted.

Many of the injuries associated with bus accidents will not be immediately obvious. It could take several days or even weeks before those injuries are fully understood. This is why it is so essential that victims seek a thorough medical evaluation. Any person injured in a bus accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. There is a statute of limitations associated with being able to pursue damages through a civil action. Pursuing these claims in a timely manner is key.

Investigating Stephenson County Bus Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Freeport YMCA bus accident. It is our sincere hope that the victims will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar incidents can be prevented.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Freeport bus accident? You may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. Our team of highly experienced bus accident attorneys are committed to getting accident victims the support and justice that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.