Driver apprehended after fleeing police, crashing into school bus
Driver fleeing police crashed into school bus with 19 unharmed children; apprehended and charged.
Event / Disaster
Florida School Bus Collision
A 23-year-old driver fleeing a traffic stop collided head-on with a Sumter County school bus carrying 19 children. All children remained unharmed. The driver was apprehended and charged with multiple offenses including fleeing police, driving with a suspended license, and hit-and-run.
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2026-08-27 to 2026-11-08 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 27 Aug, 11:34 UTC
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What happened
Driver abandons vehicle and flees on foot after collision
Following the head-on collision with the school bus, Qahiem Williams allegedly got out of his damaged vehicle and fled on foot. He was apprehended by a deputy near a Walmart after a pursuit captured on body camera video.
Sheriff condemns actions that endangered children's lives
Sumter County Sheriff Patrick Breeden issued a statement condemning the alleged actions, stating he has zero tolerance for actions that put children's lives in danger. Breeden noted the suspect has a history of this type of behavior and stated the community is safer with him off the streets.
School bus with 19 children remains unharmed in head-on collision
All 19 children aboard the Sumter County school bus were safe and uninjured following the head-on collision with the fleeing driver's vehicle. No injuries to students were reported.
Driver fleeing traffic stop crashes head-on into school bus carrying 19 children
A 23-year-old driver, Qahiem Williams, allegedly fled a traffic stop by accelerating and sideswiping two vehicles at a traffic light. The collisions damaged the axle of his vehicle, causing him to collide head-on with a Sumter County school bus on County Road 103. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning around 7:20 a.m. in front of The Villages Intermediate Center.
Driver faces multiple charges including fleeing police and driving with suspended license
Qahiem Williams was arrested and charged with fleeing or eluding, driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana, leaving the scene of a crash, resisting an officer, hit-and-run, and a moving traffic violation. He also had two outstanding Sumter County warrants for fleeing or eluding and driving with a suspended license. He was held without bond at the Sumter County Detention Center.
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