Watch CBS News
Updated on: September 18, 2025 / 10:02 PM EDT / CBS Baltimore
A 16-year-old girl died, and a 17-year-old boy was seriously injured, after their vehicle was pushed into the path of a school bus Thursday afternoon in Harford County, according to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 2 p.m., a large police presence blocked off a section of Route 543 in the area of Crescent Knoll Road in Bel Air.
No students were injured on the school bus, and they were taken on another bus back to C. Milton Wright High School to be picked up by family members, the sheriff’s office said.
A teenage driver of the other vehicle was taken to Shock Trauma, and the teenage passenger died, according to deputies.
“From what I understand, a car was trying to pull into the neighborhood, and the bus, they just hit each other, and i guess, on impact, it hit another car,” said parent Keri Ainsworth. “Their faces, they looked scared. I could only imagine.”
The sheriff’s office responded to a crash involving a Harford County Public School bus and two other vehicles.
Deputies said a vehicle was traveling northbound on Route 543 and was attempting to turn left onto Crescent Knoll Drive when it was struck from behind by another vehicle and pushed into the path of a school bus.
A 17-year-old boy sustained significant injuries and was flown to Shock Trauma, according to the sheriff’s office. A 16-year-old girl died at the scene.
A 39-year-old driver of the car that pushed the teenagers into the school bus was taken to the hospital. 
The sheriff’s office said the investigation is still ongoing. 
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of everyone involved in today’s collision, especially those who lost a loved one,” the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
High school sophomore Elijah Kirsch told WJZ he was at football practice when he saw police cars, ambulances, and helicopters in the area.
He said he knew the girl who died.
“Close friend, prayers up for her, she sadly didn’t make it,” Kirsch said. “Now that I know what happened, I’m pretty beat up, but there’s nothing else we can do but keep her in our prayers.”
Kirsch says the community is hurting.
“We’re going to pray,” he said. “Keep everyone in our prayers.”
The principal of C. Milton Wright High School sent an email to families on Thursday, saying that additional staff and counselors will be available for students and staff on Friday.
“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted,” Principal Bryan Pawlicki said.
The principal also thanked first responders who went to the scene.
“I want to take a moment to thank the first responders who acted quickly to the scene and provided medical care to all those in need,” Pawlicki said.
Adam Thompson is a digital content producer for CBS Baltimore.
© 2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
©2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

source