Two brothers were forced out of their house in Skokie on Thursday afternoon after a school bus crashed through the front wall. The incident occurred in the 8600 block of Crawford Avenue, near Greenleaf Street, at around 4:28 p.m. According to Skokie police, the school bus initially hit a sport-utility vehicle while traveling south on Crawford Avenue. The crash also caused damage to two unoccupied parked cars.
The bus then veered off the roadway, crossed the median, and crashed into a house on the same block. The homeowner, Hamza, who was at home with his brother at the time, described hearing a loud bang before witnessing the bus barreling through their living room. The impact was so severe that the inside of the living room was visible from the street.
Several other nearby houses were also damaged in the wake of the bus crash. Fortunately, no children were on board the bus at the time of the incident, and the driver was the only person on board. The driver was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and one party involved in the traffic crash was ticketed for improper lane usage.
As a result, Hamza’s home has been boarded up, and he will be staying with family while structural engineers inspect the damage to the house.
The incident left the community in shock, with witness Nikki Kelsay describing it as terrifying. She recounted seeing the bus drive straight into the house and mentioned that she and others helped the driver, who appeared to be in shock, off the bus.
The aftermath of the crash highlights the need for improved safety measures on roadways and near residential areas.
This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of traffic accidents and the importance of taking precautions to prevent them. It also underscores the resilience of the community, as neighbors came together to assist in the aftermath of the incident, ensuring that everyone involved was safe.
The historic Skokie neighborhood has seen its share of accidents over the years, but the community has always rallied together to support those affected. It is a testament to the strength of the residents and their willingness to overcome challenges in the face of adversity.