Police closed the intersection of Richmond Rd. and Shaker Blvd. for four hours after a four-vehicle accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 15.

The Beachwood City School school bus that was involved was not at fault. 

According to the police report, a driver in a Toyota Highlander traveling south on Richmond Rd. swerved across the center lane into the northbound lane, then swerved back into the southbound lane, ran the red light at Shaker Blvd., collided with two cars traveling east on Shaker and then crashed into the front end of a Beachwood school bus which had been stopped at the red light in the northbound lane.

Neither the school bus driver nor any of the 18 children on the bus were injured, according to a Dec. 16 story published on Cleveland.com.

Police Chief Katherine McLaughlin told Cleveland.com that parents were contacted about the accident, and then another school bus took the children home. 

The remaining three drivers all required medical attention and were taken to Hillcrest hospital. One was released quickly while the other two required more extensive treatment.

As of Jan. 11, this incident remains under investigation according to the City of Beachwood Law Department. 

Beachwood City School Transportation Coordinator Heather Farkas, who was notified immediately about the accident through radio communications, told the Beachcomber that there was minimal damage to the front bumper of the bus, which has been fixed by the district’s mechanics.

After receiving authorization from the police, the students were transferred to another bus and taken home while the bus driver was driven back to the bus garage to fill out an accident report.

Kevin Fu, a seventh grader at BMS, witnessed the crash and called 911. 

“I was planning on jogging at the park near the library,” said Fu. “As I was heading there, I heard these tires screech and I looked to my left and I suddenly saw these two cars crash. I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed 911.” 

Fu told the Beachcomber that he instinctively called the police in the heat of the moment.

“I was really scared about people getting hurt, especially since I saw the school bus nearby, and so I called 911 out of panic.” 

Fu described smoke coming from one of the cars, and he saw glass everywhere. He anxiously waited for the police to arrive, and while out of breath and panting, Fu prayed for everyone’s safety.

“I stayed on the sidewalk, but there were some elderly ladies walking along the same road that one of the cars had been on. They said that the car was swerving all over the place and almost hit them on the sidewalk.” 

Fu explained that everybody on the road stayed still and waited for police to arrive, including himself.

In hindsight, Fu said that the event impacted him heavily. 

“It taught me a lesson,” he said. “When I was younger I didn’t value the importance of wearing my seatbelt, I thought it was uncomfortable. But after witnessing that car crash, I realized the importance of safety.” 

Fu described how he overheard a nearby policeman talking about injuries and seatbelts and how he watched as the ambulance carried an elderly man out of the car that had been swerving.

“I was worried that maybe [the driver] had a heart attack or seizure behind the wheel and that’s what caused his swerving,” said Fu, “because I can’t imagine it to be intentional. I don’t think anyone would intentionally crash.”

Ultimately, Fu wishes the best for everyone involved. 

“I just want to emphasize the importance of being careful, and tell everyone to stay safe,” he said.

Farkas also emphasized traffic safety, especially while students are learning to drive. 

“It is important to pay attention and be aware of what is going on around you in order to keep yourself and others safe,” she said.