Car slams into Merrick Avenue Middle School bus

A group of Merrick Avenue Middle School students were unharmed Wednesday morning when their bus was struck by another vehicle on the way to school on Merrick Avenue.

According to Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Superintendent John DeTommaso, a vehicle traveling northbound on Merrick Avenue early Wednesday veered into the southbound bus’s lane, striking it on the passenger side.

“That’s how far [the driver] went over into the other lane,” DeTommaso said.

According to a spokesperson for the Nassau County Police, there were no charges pressed at the scene.

There were no injuries reported, according to DeTommaso, although the driver was checked out by medical personnel, and some parents did pick up their children.

“The principal sent out a note to parents just saying that there were no injuries, but a couple of parents took their kids home or just to get checked out,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Nassau County Police said that a portion of Merrick Road was closed temporarily, but open again by 9:30 a.m.

“The police and fire departments were amazing. They were on the scene right away,” DeTommaso said. “The bus driver got the kids off the bus right away too.”

The bus was one of Guardian Bus Company’s fleet, according to DeTommaso. A spokesperson for Guardian declined to comment Wednesday morning.

This story will be updated as more information is available.