McDuffie County School Bus Drivers Cope with the Loss of One of their Own

***6 P.M. Update January 6***

Black ribbons hanging on the front of every school bus on the road in McDuffie County, Thursday afternoon, serve as a solemn reminder of the tragic crash. Bus drivers chose to drive, the day after the accident, in memory of their co-worker, and friend, Jennifer Beckum.

Sherry Crawford says "Jennifer was a dear friend to everybody, she loved all her children on her bus like they were her own."

Crawford is driving Beckum's route, she says it was tough getting behind the wheel.

"Those are children that I've been driving for 15 years and now she has them and their just all very saddened."

As bus driver cope with losing one of their own, we're learning new details about the deadly crash. The bus slammed into this dirt embankment, throwing the 38 year old driver out of her seat and though the buses side door.

As the Georgia State Patrol continues with their investigation their telling us, the believe the muddy road played a significant part in the crash. Trooper say the two students, one of them Beckum's 10 year old son, we're also thrown out. We now know both students we're taken to MCG, the 10 year old treated for a fractured skull and a collapsed lung. Investigators believe the two were standing at the front of the bus when the crash happened. Investigators don't believe Beckum, who'd been driving fro the school system for seven years, was wearing a seat belt.

Superintendent Jim LeBrun: "She was loved and beloved by not only her family and friends but also her school community."

McDuffie County School Superintendent Jim LeBrun says this is a sad day, as his school system once again this year, faces dealing with another tragedy.


LeBrun: "We've had a number of tragedies this year with loss of life of students and employees and I was hoping and praying that there was not going to be another loss of life, unfortunately we did lose a life.

The road where the crash happened has now been shut down by the county as troopers continue to investigate the crash. Road crews says the dirt road is so muddy it's nearly impassable after Wednesday's heavy rains.

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***2:10 P.M. Update January 6***

WJBF News Channel 6's Brett Buffington talked with McDuffie County's school superintendent on Thursday morning on how they're dealing with this tragedy.

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***10:43 A.M. Update January 6***

Jim LeBrun, McDuffie County Superintendent of schools, released the following statement Thursday morning:

"I apologize for the lateness of this message. I have spent much of the last 15 hours or so dealing with yet another tragedy within our McDuffie County Schools family. As you have no doubt already been made aware through the media, McDuffie County bus driver Jennifer Beckum lost her life in a bus accident yesterday evening. Her son, Preston, is at MCG with a very good prognosis although he has sustained a fractured skull, clavicle and punctured lung. A high school junior has been released with only minor bruises.

The accident occurred on a dirt road outside of Dearing. There were 10 passengers on the bus at the time. Evidently, the driver lost control of the bus as it slid off the road striking the embankment. She was ejected through the front door.

I have met with all of the other drivers and have upheld their desire to roll the buses today in honor of Jennifer. She would have wanted them to carry on immediately. The drivers will also honor Jennifer by blowing their horns twice as they depart each school. Black ribbons will be displayed on the buses in honor of her memory.

Please join me in praying for Jennifer's family, Preston's recovery, and for all impacted by this event. Our bus drivers remain a very critical part of our school system family. They provide such a critical role that we all depend on each and every day. They are responsible for the most precious cargo anywhere. Please let our drivers know how much we appreciate them as they search for the strength to continue serving our students and our community."

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McDuffie County Coroner Rusha Mack tells News Channel 6, 38-year-old Jennifer Beckum died after the school bus she was driving crashed into an embankment around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon.  The coroner says Beckum was ejected out the side door of the bus during the crash.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the bus accident, that sent two students to the hospital.

There's no word yet on the extent of their injuries.

Troopers say nine students we're on board McDuffie County School bus number eight, as it was traveling down Rachel Road just outside the town of Dearing, and struck a dirt embankment.

Stay with WJBF and WJBF.com as this story continues to develop.