Driver Crashes Into School Bus, Arrested Hours Later for Domestic Battery

Jacob Novak allegedly slammed into a Lee County school bus, then walked home and got into an altercation with his fiancée.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 31-year-old man named Jacob Novak crashed his Jaguar into the back of a Lee County school bus on Wednesday morning, causing minor injuries to the bus driver. After the crash, Novak left his damaged vehicle and walked about three miles to his residence. Once home, he allegedly got into a domestic dispute with his fiancée, which resulted in his arrest for domestic battery.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the potential dangers of distracted or reckless driving, as well as the concerning pattern of behavior exhibited by the suspect, who has a history of prior arrests. The sheriff's office is reviewing the bus stop location and working with the school district to ensure student safety on school buses.

The details

Authorities say Novak struck the school bus from behind at around 8:50 a.m. on Wednesday, with the crash captured on video. The bus driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. After the crash, Novak left his damaged vehicle and walked approximately three miles to his residence, where he then allegedly got into an altercation with his fiancée, leading to his arrest for domestic battery.

  • The crash occurred around 8:50 a.m. on Wednesday, February 20, 2026.
  • Novak was arrested for domestic battery against his fiancée several hours after the crash.

The players

Jacob Novak

A 31-year-old man who crashed his Jaguar into the back of a Lee County school bus and was later arrested for domestic battery against his fiancée.

Carmine Marceno

The Lee County Sheriff who described the crash as "horrifying" and said the results could have been "devastating."

Lee County School District

The school district that works closely with the sheriff's office on bus safety initiatives, including camera systems that have resulted in a more than 90% reduction in school bus violations.

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What they’re saying

“If you watch the video, it's horrifying, and it stops your heart, because you just pray everybody's okay.”

— Carmine Marceno, Lee County Sheriff (fox4now.com)

“Literally, probably should have kept walking.”

— Carmine Marceno, Lee County Sheriff (fox4now.com)

What’s next

The Lee County Sheriff's Office will evaluate the bus stop location as part of standard protocol, though they have not identified previous safety issues at that particular stop.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of attentive and responsible driving, as well as the need for continued collaboration between law enforcement and school districts to prioritize student safety on school buses. The suspect's history of prior arrests also raises concerns about repeat offenders and the challenges of the criminal justice system.