Nine students were aboard when the Dillard Charter Academy bus struck the bridge.
GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A school bus carrying Dillard Charter Academy students struck a low bridge Thursday afternoon in Goldsboro, injuring the driver and six children before responders cleared the damaged bus from the scene.
The crash happened at Carolina and Vine streets, where a bridge clearance of about 7 feet, 6 inches creates a hazard for taller vehicles. Goldsboro Police Chief Michael West said nine students were riding the bus. Six were taken to UNC Health Wayne and later released. The driver was flown to ECU Health in Greenville for treatment.
Dispatch radio traffic said all children had made it out of the bus after the crash, though injuries were reported. Police said at the scene that the children’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. A spokesperson for UNC Health Wayne later said the students had non-life-threatening injuries and were released Thursday night. The driver’s condition was not immediately released.
Images from above showed heavy damage to the bus’s front end after it hit the bridge. The crash appeared to occur as the bus tried to pass underneath and failed to clear the structure. Investigators had not said whether the bus was on its normal route, whether the driver missed posted height signs or whether any mechanical issue played a role.
People who live near Carolina and Vine streets said the area has a 25 mph speed limit. Some neighbors told WRAL News the bus appeared to be moving faster than that before the crash, but police had not confirmed speed as a cause. Witness Whitney Dixon described the aftermath as difficult to see. “It was a very devastating scene, though,” Dixon said.
The bridge has been a concern for some nearby residents because other tall vehicles have struck it before. One neighbor said she had seen several U-Haul trucks hit the bridge and said the current warning signs may not be enough for drivers unfamiliar with the crossing. She said a height marker on the bridge itself could make the warning clearer.
The crash response brought police, firefighters and medical crews to the intersection as traffic was blocked around the bridge. The bus was later pulled from beneath the structure. Officials had not reported any deaths, and the students’ release from the hospital marked the first major update after the crash.
Police are expected to continue reviewing witness statements, the bus’s path and the condition of the bridge approach. As of Friday, no charges had been announced, and officials had not released a timetable for a final crash report.
Author note: Last updated May 1, 2026.