NEWARK, DE – Delaware State Police have identified 54-year-old Wanda Montalvo of Wilmington as the woman killed in a crash involving two school buses Thursday morning at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School.
The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in the school’s drop-off lane on Gender Road as students were arriving for class.
Investigators say Montalvo was conducting an emergency exit drill behind a parked IC 300 bus when another bus of the same model drifted forward and struck her.
Key Points
- 54-year-old bus driver Wanda Montalvo was killed Thursday at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School
- Police say a second school bus drifted forward and struck her during a safety drill
- No students were injured; investigation remains ongoing by Delaware State Police
Police continue investigation into fatal collision
According to Delaware State Police, the driver of the second bus, a 53-year-old woman from New Castle, was not injured in the incident. Both buses were carrying a total of 48 students, none of whom sustained injuries. Troopers closed the parking lot for about four hours while the scene was processed and cleared.
Safety drill turns deadly
Authorities say Montalvo had exited her bus to perform a routine emergency evacuation drill when the second bus rolled forward for reasons still under investigation. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police seeking witnesses
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash. Witnesses or anyone with information are urged to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417, send a private Facebook message to Delaware State Police, or reach out to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
