News : Updated: Second Accident in Benton Community takes Second Student

The Iowa State Patrol has released the name of the crash victim in Wednesday's crash as 16 year old Mackenzie Kvam of Belle Plaine. The name of the bus driver was Allison Hicks, 51 of Garrison.

Benton Community School District has had an awful week. A second accident this week, happened on Wednesday morning around 7:30 a.m. taking the life of a second Benton Community student.

Benton Community School Superintendent, Dr. Pamela Ewell, released the following statement, "We understand the considerable emotional impact this can have on our students and families and are making counseling services available.

The driver of the school bus and student passengers were evaluated at the scene and some were transported by local EMS or parents to healthcare facilities for evaluation and treatment for minor injuries. We are extremely appreciative to law enforcement and first responders from our area who quickly responded. We are also grateful to our parents and students who remained calm in an unthinkable situation.

The District has been and will continue working with local law enforcement and other agencies as they assess what occurred and determine appropriate next steps. We cannot provide any more specific information related to what occurred, as this information is confidential, and we want to respect the privacy of the student's family. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the student's family and friends and our entire school community during this time."

According to the Iowa State Patrol accident report, the minivan driven by the student drove off the shoulder several times and overcorrected crossing into the path of the school bus. The van hit the bus on the driver's side. The driver of the van was deceased on arrival.

The bus driver was uninjured and 5 juvenile passengers on the bus had minor injuries. Names of all those involved are being withheld.

In addition to the Iowa State Patrol, assisting on the scene were the Benton County Sheriff's Department, Belle Plaine Fire, Keystone Fire, Belle Plaine Ambulance, Iowa DOT and Teglers.

Editor's note: There is still one student injured from Benton Community who was involved in the ATV accident which happened earlier this week. Two families are grieving the loss of their children, and 5 other students have minor injuries.

Keep the first responders, the families, the bus driver, the students of Benton Community Schools in your prayers, this is a heavy burden for this school district.