Porch camera catches pickup slamming into school bus as student walks out to board

A pickup truck slammed into the back of a stopped school bus on Route 20 in the town of Madison, New York, at about 7:18 a.m. May 7, 2026, as a high school student walked out of his house to board it.

Home security video of the crash was posted Sept. 23, 2026, in a collaboration post from The Injury Firm, a personal injury firm with offices in Anaheim Hills and Irvine, with Juice Unlocked and other accounts. The crash did not happen in Orange County.

What State Police say

New York State Police said a 2007 Dodge Ram pickup struck the rear of a Madison Central School District bus. The bus had activated its warning lights and stopped before the collision, according to the release.

The pickup's driver, a 35-year-old Eaton man, had to be extricated and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Two juveniles riding in the pickup were taken for evaluation.

The 29-year-old bus driver and two juvenile bus passengers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. School Transportation News, citing State Police, reported that 23 students were on the bus.

A trooper determined the pickup driver was following too closely and was distracted, and he was issued numerous traffic tickets, according to the State Police release.

The near miss

The video came from the family's home in Bouckville, according to School Transportation News, which cited WKTV. The student, a high school junior, jumped back to avoid debris and later helped comfort a child who had been pulled from the truck, the outlet reported.

His father rushed outside, hugged his son, called 911 and helped manage the scene with passing motorists until emergency crews arrived, according to the report.

The firm's take

In its caption, The Injury Firm said a driver who fails to leave enough stopping distance may face a traffic citation and, if anyone is injured, may also be responsible for medical costs and other losses. The firm added that the facts of this crash would need to be investigated.

Partner content: The Injury Firm is the owner of the original post. This is not legal advice.