On September 18, 2025, shortly after 2 p.m., Harford County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies, along with allied law enforcement agencies, Harford County Department of Emergency Services and local fire companies responded to Route 543 and Crescent Knoll Drive for a vehicle collision involving two passenger vehicles and a Harford County Public School bus.

Upon arrival, medical aid was provided to all involved in the collision, and aviation was requested from the Maryland State Police. Preliminary investigation conducted by deputies assigned to the HCSO Traffic Unit indicates that the struck vehicle was traveling northbound on Route 543, had properly stopped and was waiting to make a left turn onto Crescent Knoll Drive when it was struck from the rear by another vehicle, pushing it into the path of a school bus traveling southbound on Route 543. As a result of the collision, the driver of the struck vehicle, a 17-year-old male, sustained significant injuries and was flown to a local trauma center. The passenger of the vehicle, a 16-year-old female, was fatally injured.

All vehicles involved remained at the scene and the driver of the striking vehicle, a 39 year old male, was not injured.

All non-injured students were evacuated from the school bus and moved to another bus, six students were precautionaly transported to a local hospital.

This investigation is still ongoing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of everyone involved in today’s collision, especially those who lost a loved one.