11 children hospitalized after south suburban school bus crash on I-55

CHANNAHON, Ill. - Eleven children were hospitalized after three south suburban school buses were involved in a crash near Smith Bridge in Channahon Tuesday morning. 

Illinois State Police responded to northbound I-55 between Arsenal Road and Bluff Road around 8:35 a.m. for a multi-vehicle crash.

Braidwood police said they were assisting state police with a crash involving three Reed Custer Middle School buses. 

All three buses were traveling in the right lane heading northbound when traffic slowed. The third bus was unable to stop in time and struck the one ahead of it. The middle bus then struck the first one. State police said no other vehicles were involved.

A total of 11 children were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. 

The remaining children were moved to Loves Truck Stop on the east side of I-55 as they awaited new school buses. The students have since been brought back to the middle school in Braidwood to be reunited with their families. 

Illinois State Police said all lanes have been reopened. The driver of the bus that initially crashed was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash.