School bus driver prevents fatal accident

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BRUCE - In northwest Wisconsin, school officials say a fast-thinking bus driver avoided a major tragedy by keeping youngsters in her bus, while an alleged drunk driver sped by.

It happened last Friday afternoon about a mile south of Bruce on Highway 40. Kimberly Lincoln had just stopped her bus and opened the door when she saw a vehicle speeding from the rear. She noticed that it had no intention of stopping. So she immediately closed the door, and the kids had to wait inside while the speeding car drove just to the right of the bus, clipped a mailbox, and drove on. Had the kids been allowed to get off the bus, the car might have hit some or all of them – and yesterday, Bruce Superintendent Joni Weinert praised Lincoln for avoiding a major catastrophe.

Meanwhile, Chippewa County sheriff’s deputies said they stopped the alleged drunk driver about 28 miles south of where he almost clipped the bus. 58-year-old Michael Malone of Altoona was charged with refusing to take a test for intoxication. And the State Patrol said he could face charges in Rusk County as well – including felony endangerment. Officials said he was arrested for his 11th drunk driving offense.

Tags: western wisconsin, news, crime, accidents