State Patrol: SUV driver suffered life-threatening injuries in accident with school bus

The Minnesota State Patrol said the 19-year-old driver whose SUV collided with a school bus near Hibbing on Thursday suffered life-threatening injuries and was being treated at a Duluth hospital.

According to the State Patrol, the driver was wearing a seatbelt and the airbag of her 2006 Toyota RAV-4 deployed upon impact. The 52-year-old bus driver was not seriously injured.

21 students on the bus that overturned in the accident were injured, but none suffered serious injuries. Twelve of the students were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

The St. Louis County School District in northeastern Minnesota is the largest in the state by area. Some students spend up to an hour on the bus to school each day.

The State Patrol also says alcohol was not a factor in the accident. The collision is still under investigation.