Jade Roberts, 16, a popular Branford High School sophomore, was killed Tuesday afternoon when the vehicle in which she was a passenger crashed into the rear end of a Suwannee County school bus loaded with 41 students who attended Branford schools.



Kevin Heiderman, 17, also a BHS student was the driver of the ’97 Dodge pickup in which Roberts was a passenger. The school bus was driven by Alma Brown Calhoun of 132 SE 6th St. Live Oak.



The crash occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. just outside of O’Brien. Both vehicles were headed north on U. S. 129.



According to a report issued by Florida Highway Patrol the Heiderman vehicle was traveling in excess of the posted speed limit, and had passed at least one vehicle at an excessive speed.



The report went on to say, the school bus was slowing to a stop near the intersection of CR 220 Path, the bus had its stop arms and deceleration lights activated. The Heiderman vehicle continued to travel in excess of the posted speed limit, failed to observe the school bus, and failed to take any evasive action prior to the crash.



The front of the Heiderman vehicle collided with the rear of the school bus, traveling partially under the rear of the loaded bus. The right front unrestrained passenger was fatally injured as a result of the crash, according to the report.



The FHP report went on to say, all 41 Branford school students were transported from the scene to Shands at Live Oak by another Suwannee County school bus that was brought to the site. According to the report seven students received minor injuries and were treated and released from the hospital. No student received serious injuries according to the report. The driver of the bus received minor back injuries as a result of the crash and was treated at Shands at Live Oak Tuesday.



No names of the students were immediately available and the report stated it will take an inordinate amount of time to obtain and list the names of all 41 students.



The tragedy occurred no more than 15 minutes after school had dismissed and in just a short time news spread that the popular teenager had lost her life. Many parents and students came to the scene of the crash to help their teenagers deal with the loss, and the injury of their school mates.



Heiderman was freed from the wreckage and transported by Shands Trauma Flight to Shands of Jacksonville according to the FHP release. At press time Heiderman’s condition was listed as serious.



According to the report charges are pending completion of the traffic homicide investigation.

Trooper Benny Taylor was the traffic investigator. Corporal Jessie Stalnaker was the THI investigator and the report was reviewed by Lt. Mike Burroughs, Troop B, public information officer.



Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday in the First Baptist Christian Life Center in Branford. Interment will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Mayo. The family will receive friends at Daniels Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday.