Florida Man Crashes Jaguar Into School Bus

No students on board, but driver faces charges for crash and domestic incident

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 31-year-old Florida man named Jacob Novak crashed his Jaguar sports car into the back of a school bus in Lee County on Wednesday morning. Fortunately, there were no students on board at the time, but the bus driver suffered minor injuries. Novak was cited for following the bus too closely, and hours later was charged with battery related to a domestic disturbance at his home.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and the need for increased safety measures around school buses to protect students. It also raises concerns about the mental health and well-being of the driver involved, as the subsequent domestic incident suggests deeper personal issues.

The details

Surveillance video shows Novak's Jaguar accelerating down the street and slamming into the back of the school bus at an estimated speed of 40 mph. The impact was so forceful that the luxury sports car became jammed under the bus. Authorities said Novak failed to stop or slow down at all before the collision.

  • The crash occurred on Wednesday morning.
  • Hours after the crash, police were called to Novak's home for an alleged domestic disturbance.

The players

Jacob Novak

A 31-year-old Florida man who crashed his Jaguar into the back of a school bus and was later charged with battery related to a domestic incident.

Lee County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the crash and the subsequent domestic disturbance call.

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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. You see a Jaguar coming down pretty strong, fails to stop completely, fails to stop at all, and kind of slams into the back of the bus.”

— Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Lee County Sheriff (WFTX)

“There is no decrease in speed at any time. It's almost as if no one's in the vehicle. Thank God. This could have been tragic.”

— Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Lee County Sheriff (WFTX)

What’s next

Novak will face charges for the crash and the domestic incident. The Lee County Sheriff's Office is investigating both cases.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of safe driving practices, especially around school buses, and the need for comprehensive support systems to address the root causes of reckless and violent behavior.