North Dakota Highway Patrol investigating fatal three-vehicle crash involving school bus

(Pickardville, ND) -- North Dakota Highway Patrol officials are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash that occurred about a 1/2 mile east of Pickardville.

Officials say one vehicle was traveling westbound on ND highway 200 at around 3:40 p.m when it crossed the center line. A pickup pulling a trailer traveling eastbound swerved right, but their trailer was still hit by the first vehicle. A Turtle Lake / Mercer Public School bus was following the truck and was hit by the first vehicle head-on, overturning the bus with children inside.

The driver and children were all taken to Turtle Lake Hospital for an evaluation, and were all found to have scrapes, cuts and bruises. The driver who crossed the center line was declared dead at the scene.

The incident is still under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.