Driver Flees After Hitting Mississippi School Bus

Authorities search for silver sedan that struck bus with students crossing the street.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:03pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged side mirror from a silver sedan, reflecting a faint red light against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a hit-and-run crash.The aftermath of a hit-and-run crash involving a school bus exposes the need for greater driver responsibility and vigilance around student safety.Hattiesburg Today

Hattiesburg police are searching for a driver who hit a school bus in the city's Campbell Drive neighborhood and then fled the scene without providing any information. The bus was stopped to pick up students when it was struck by a passenger vehicle, though no injuries were reported among the eight students crossing the street at the time.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run crashes involving school buses raise serious concerns about student safety and the need for drivers to remain at the scene of an accident to provide information to authorities. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges schools and communities face in ensuring the wellbeing of children during daily transportation.

The details

According to police, the hit-and-run occurred around 8 a.m. on Tuesday in the 3600 block of Campbell Drive. The vehicle involved is described as a silver, mid-size four-door sedan with damage to the left, front side. The driver, an adult male, fled the scene without stopping.

  • The hit-and-run crash occurred just before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Hattiesburg Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the hit-and-run incident and searching for the driver who fled the scene.

Hattiesburg Public School District

The school district that operates the bus that was struck, with students boarding at the time of the crash.

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What’s next

Hattiesburg police are continuing their investigation and search for the driver who fled the scene. They are asking the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the vehicle and suspect involved.

The takeaway

This hit-and-run incident underscores the importance of driver responsibility and the need for heightened safety measures around school bus stops to protect vulnerable students. The community is rallying to support the school district and assist law enforcement in finding the driver who endangered children's wellbeing.