By JESSICA POTILA

Journal Staff Writer

NEGAUNEE — Speed was a contributing factor in a multivehicle crash Thursday that involved a Negaunee Public Schools bus carrying 20 students.

The five-vehicle crash occurred shortly after 8 a.m. on U.S. 41 in Negaunee Township.

The bus, which was transporting students to Lakeview Elementary School, was facing eastbound in the middle lane of the highway and preparing to turn left onto Brebner Road when it was struck from behind by a white SUV.

A silver pickup truck traveling eastbound behind the SUV moved to the left side of the bus in an effort to avoid colliding with the crashed vehicles. While attempting to maneuver around the bus, the pickup was then hit on the rearside by a westbound vehicle.

The final car involved was also traveling westbound when it ran into debris from the crash site.

No injuries were reported, according to Michigan State Police Lt. Ben Eckola.

“Ultimately, it was a multiple-car crash in which a contributing factor was speed being too fast for conditions (official hazard action being not being able to stop in assured clear distance),” Eckola said.

A second Negaunee school bus was dispatched to the scene within minutes of the crash to continue transporting the students to school.

Negaunee Public Schools Superintendent Dan Skewis sent an email to parents Thursday addressing the incident.

“Fortunately, none of our students were injured and no significant damage occurred to our bus,” Skewis wrote. “The children were checked … again at Lakeview to make sure they were not injured and all reported that they were fine.”

Mickey’s Marquette Detailing towed several of the vehicles. The school bus did not receive significant damage, according to Skewis. the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene.

Jessica Potila can be reached at 906-228-2500. Her email address is jpotila@miningjournal.net.