Graduate describes chain reaction school bus crash on the way to ceremony

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - One of the eleven students injured in a southeast Houston school bus crash is describing the chaos of the pile-up on his graduation day. Meanwhile, Pasadena Independent School District officials are examining alternative plans for the students who missed their graduation ceremony as a result of the crash on Thursday afternoon.

Graduation is typically known for indescribably happy moments, but that wasn't the case for Alan Hunter and his classmates. They were caught in a chain reaction school bus crash on the South Sam Houston Tollway.

"Indescribable," said Hunter. "Some people fell out of their seats. Our cap and gowns flew to the front of the bus. It was crazy."

Hunter, 18, is one of eleven Pasadena Memorial High School graduates, one school staffer, and one bus driver who were taken to the hospital.

"My neck and my back were hurting all down my left side," described Hunter. "I could barely move it."

School district officials say the crash took place when a car cut off one of the school buses, causing at least three of the buses to crash into each other.

The injuries were minor and school officials say they did everything in their power to make sure the crash victims didn't miss their graduation ceremony once they were evaluated out by medical staff.

"As they were being released from the hospital, they were rushed to NRG, and we had police waiting for them on site at a special entrance on these golf carts, and they drove them all the way in so they could walk the stage," said Arturo Del Barrio, director of communications for Pasadena ISD.

Hunter missed the start of the ceremony but got there just in the nick of time to walk the stage. His mom, Ricole Williams, posted cell phone video of the walk to Facebook with the following caption: "When the devil thought he had us but Jesus came and grabbed us. You can't tell me anything about God's grace and mercy!!!! I am so proud of my son."

School district officials say two students missed their graduation completely, because they were still at the hospital being treated. District officials say they'll come up with an alternative graduation plan for those students by Saturday.