School Bus Accident Investigated/9 Excel Academy Students Hurt

The Zanesville Post of the Highway Patrol says it is investigating a head-on crash between a Tri-Valley school bus and a car.

The bus was carrying students to Excel Academy in Newark. 

It happened Monday  around 7:30 a.m. on State Route 146 West of State Route 586.  

The Zanesville Highway Patrol says 9 students were taken to the hospital for treatment. 

The Patrol says the driver of the vehicle is identified as 

Donald Binckley III.  He was taken by medical helicopter to Grant Medical Center in Columbus.  He is listed in serious condition.

The Highway Patrol says Binckley III went left of center and struck the bus head-on. 

Both the vehicle and the school bus ended up in a ditch by the side of State Route 146.

  The road is closed and will remain that way until around 12:00 pm.   

The Highway Patrol has set up a detour….State Route 146 to Obannon Road to State Roue 586 to State Route 146.  

 The Excel Academy is a private, not-for-profit organization providing educational, mental health and behavioral health care to children and adolescents referred by public school districts and community health providers.  Founded in 1994, Excel Academy began as a summer tutoring program eventually transitioning to a full school day.  Excel serves the children and adolescents from 10 counties and 43 school districts.