Centralia, MO – One Person Hurt in School Bus and Car Crash on Hwy 124

Centralia, MO (May 15, 2026) – A collision between a school bus and a passenger car injured one person on North Highway 124 near East Shelley Lane in Centralia on Thursday afternoon, May 14. Emergency units received the call at approximately 2:39 p.m. and responded to the scene.

Emergency crews assessed those involved and assisted at the scene. Details about the severity of the injury and the identity of the person hurt have not been confirmed. The number of occupants on the bus at the time of the crash has not been released.

Authorities have not confirmed what led to the collision on Highway 124. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear. The accident is still under investigation.

Our thoughts go out to those affected by this crash as they recover from their injuries.

Most Common Injuries After a Bus Accident in Boone County, MO

Bus accidents in Boone County frequently cause a range of injuries from minor soreness to serious spinal and head trauma due to the size and weight difference between a bus and a passenger car. These crashes can generate significant force, even at moderate speeds. Understanding the most common injuries helps victims recognize symptoms early and seek the right medical care before conditions worsen.

Whiplash is among the most frequently reported injuries after bus accidents. The sudden stop or impact causes the head and neck to snap forward and back rapidly, straining muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Symptoms often do not appear immediately; many people feel fine at the scene but notice stiffness, pain, or limited range of motion hours later. Rural highways like MO-124 connecting Centralia to Columbia see vehicle speeds that can make whiplash injuries more severe than those from lower-speed urban crashes.

Back and spinal injuries are also common in bus collisions. The force of impact can compress vertebrae, herniate discs, or damage the spinal cord itself. These injuries range from uncomfortable to permanently debilitating, and they may not show up clearly on initial scans. Follow-up imaging and specialist evaluation often reveal damage that emergency room visits miss. Seeking care from a spine specialist promptly after a crash gives victims the most complete picture of their condition.

Head injuries deserve particular attention after any vehicle crash. Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and skull fractures can result from occupants striking the interior of a vehicle during impact. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and mood changes may not show right away; they can appear gradually. A thorough neurological evaluation helps identify these injuries early and creates a medical record that supports any future legal or insurance claim.

Soft tissue injuries like bruising, torn muscles, and damaged ligaments round out the most common outcomes of bus accidents. These injuries may seem manageable at first, but can become chronic conditions requiring extended physical therapy and ongoing care. Residents across Boone County, from Centralia to Columbia, benefit from prompt evaluation at a spine and injury clinic that understands the full scope of bus accident trauma.

Pain relief services and injury rehabilitation play a critical role in recovery after a bus accident. A qualified auto accident therapy specialist can evaluate the full extent of your injuries, design a personalized treatment plan, and guide you through each stage of recovery to help you regain strength and mobility.

At Lordex Spine Center of Columbia, we specialize in diagnosing and treating the injuries that bus and vehicle accidents commonly cause. If you were hurt in a crash in Boone County or the surrounding area, call Lordex Spine Center of Columbia at (573) 443-0551 to schedule an evaluation and start your recovery on the right track.