December 16, 2021 - State Highway 7 West Near Excelsior ISD was the location of a two-vehicle crash incident involving a school bus in the middle of unloading students Wednesday, December 15, 2021.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 4:38pm an Excelsior ISD yellow 1996 Bluebird school bus driven by Debbie Homb Mercer, 55, was stopped and unloading students.
The bus was stopped with lights flashing when a white 2006 Nissan Sentra driven by Billy Benard Shears, 56, approached from behind in the same lane. Shears stated the sun was in his eyes and he saw the bus at the last minute. Shears attempted to stop; however, the Nissan impacted with the rear of the school bus on the right-rear bumper causing damage.
Emergency Medical Services were on scene and checked on those involved in the collision.
Shears and his four passengers were not injured as a result of the crash.
Mercer and the students on the bus were also not reported to have been injured in the crash.
Shears was issued citations for failure to control speed, no driver's license, and no insurance.
The Nissan was towed from the scene and the school bus was able to be driven back to the school grounds.
Agencies assisting at the scene included the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department, Center Fire Department, and Tenaha Police Department.
