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LOXAHATCHEE, FL---11/12/2004 -- A 15-year-old girl was killed after the school bus she and eight other students were riding in overturned in Palm Beach County Thursday evening.
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Officials say the accident occurred when the driver of the bus ran a stop sign, collided with a pick-up-truck and then rolled over into a wooded embankment.
15-year-old Diana Klautz died at the scene; five other students were transported to area hospitals, as for the drivers, both suffered injuries and were treated at the scene.
The students were Royal Palm High School students heading home from West Technical Education Center in Belle Glade, where they attended vocational classes.
School officials say the bus did have seat belts, but it is unclear whether Klautz or the other students injured were wearing theirs.
Records show the bus driver, 46-year-old Maria Abrohantes had three moving violations dating back to 1995, including failure to obey a traffic signal and speeding.
It is unknown if at the time of the violations Abrohantes was operating a school bus.
At this time she is physically, unable to operate any type of vehicle and her status as a bus driver is pending the conclusion of the accident investigation.
Palm Beach County School Superintendent Art Johnson reassured parents and students today, that the districts transportation system is very safe and that these types of accidents are rare.
Top Pictures Palm Beach Times - Article & Article Pic WSVN
