Bus Driver Cleared Following Fatal Accident

Toxicology report shows accident victim had prescription drugs in his system

The driver of a school bus involved in a fatal accident earlier this month in north suburban Wadsworth has been cleared of any fault and will not face any charges.

The bus collided with a Jeep at an intersection, killing the driver of the Jeep and sending 25 of the 35 Newport Elementary School students to area hospitals with various injuries.

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that the victim, 62-year-old Philip Smith, had what is believed to be prescription medications in his system at the time of the crash.

Authorities at first believed the bus driver may have run a red light, they later said that witnesses gave conflicting accounts of what happened.

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