Police Say No One At Fault in Portsmouth Bus Crash

Portsmouth police say no charges or citations were issued to either driver involved in a Portsmouth school bus crash last Monday in Island Park. 

Portsmouth rescue crews received a 911 call at 8:19 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 21 for a motor vehicle crash involving a Portsmouth school bus and pickup truck at the corner of Boyd’s Lane and Park Avenue in Island Park. 

Along with the bus driver, a bus monitor and two students - a 17-year-old girl and 18-year-old man - were on the bus at the time of the crash. All three were uninjured and refused medical treatment at the scene. 

The driver of the pickup truck, John Snell, 35, of Portsmouth, was transported by ambulance to Newport Hospital. He was treated for minor injuries. 

The driver of school bus, William McCollum, 64, of Portsmouth, also complained of minor injuries. He was also transported to Newport Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. 

Portsmouth police say the crash was accidental. Neither driver received a citation in connection with the collision. 

Snell has been charged several times in the past with driving with a suspended license. He had an active license at the time of the crash. 

According to police, the school bus was traveling eastbound on Boyd's Lane before turning onto Park Avenue. The pickup truck was traveling southbound at the time on Park Avenue, when it crashed into the side of the bus. 

The pickup truck sustained heavy-front end damage. Both the truck and school bus were towed from the scene.