Police: Denver school bus, SUV collide following burglary investigation; 18 children injured

DENVER – Eighteen children were injured when a bus crashed head-on with another vehicle during an investigation into a burglary.

Police said the crash happened at the intersection of 39th Avenue and Tejon Street as a suspect's vehicle ran a stop sign, clipping another car and then colliding into the bus with 39 kids aboard.

Police said 18 children were injured on the bus to some extent, with five children being rushed to the hospital. Two children were injured in the vehicle belonging to the suspect, with one child now in critical condition and the other in serious condition. There were also three adults in the suspect vehicle, one of which was listed in serious condition. 

Police said they had been following the suspect's vehicle, which had been stolen and was linked into an investigation into a recent burglary.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged burglary weren’t immediately clear but police confirmed a person is in custody.

The school bus involved was transporting students from Denver Montessori Junior/Senior High School.

Denver Montessori Jr./ Sr. HS students in bus accident will be taken to 4250 Shoshone St. Families can pick students up with valid ID.

— DenverPublicSchools (@DPSNewsNow) April 13, 2017

Tejon Street was closed between 38th and 40th avenues and 39th was shut down between Umatilla and Shoshone during the police investigation.

Parents waited impatiently to be reunited with their children, who were taken back to the school to be released.

"I was scared, and then I just ran. We saw smoke, so everyone got out as quickly as they could," said Speiro Jojola, a student who was seated in the back of the bus.  

He had a few bumps and bruises, but was not seriously hurt in the crash.

"I saw the wreck, and it was so horrifying to look at," said his mother, Barbara Jojola. "And to know that everyone came out with just minor injuries is a blessing in disguise."