Four people are in the hospital after an early morning crash in Marion County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, an off-duty Gainesville Police officer was driving his GPD Ford Explorer south on SW 49 Avenue Road near SW 82nd Place Road around 6:55 a.m.
That's when FHP said the officer hit a stopped school bus preparing to pick children up at a bus stop. According to a news release, the bus' flashing lights were on and stop signs were extended. FHP said the officer "failed to observe" the bus.
There were 12 students on the bus along with a bus driver, 37, and a bus aide, 54, FHP said. The driver, bus aide and one student, 9, had minor injuries and received treatment at Advent Hospital Ocala. Marion County School District Communications Director Kevin Christian said all three went to the hospital as a precaution.
The police officer had "very serious" injuries and went to HCA Ocala for treatment.
According to Christian, the bus was headed to Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School.
Christian added the remaining students all made it to school. Some went with parents while others boarded a second bus. There are counselors at the school to help students process what happened.
