The driver of a white Dodge car hit the back of a school bus on Pinewood Way in Live Oak May 2 at 4:05 p.m., according to Live Oak Police Department (LOPD).

The vehicle was wedged so far up under the bus, Suwannee County School Transportation personnel worked diligently for almost an hour to pull it out. There were no children on the bus. No injuries were reported.

According to LOPD, Jeffrey Ray Barnes, 23, of Live Oak, was driving a 1998 Dodge car, which hit the back end of the bus with the front end of his car. Charlotte Loper Freeman, 59, of Live Oak, was the Suwannee County School bus driver.

Though a detailed account of what caused the accident wasn’t available at press time, witnesses at the scene said Barnes bent down to pick up a cigarette lighter before hitting the bus.

School Transportation personnel tried several methods to get the car unstuck. After discovering they could not free the car by moving the bus, they deflated the car’s front tires. When that didn’t work they put 2×4 boards under the bus’ tires to try to cut the car loose. Finally they had to call a wrecker to the scene. Skinner’s Wrecker Service tilted the car up from the back, finally freeing the small vehicle.

“The front end of the car was hung on a couple of bolts under the back of the bus,” School Transportation Director Scott Pfender said.

“These buses are tough. They are built to protect the kids. So anyone running into one will definitely have lots of damage,” said David Fields, a bus driver observing the scene.

Barnes’ car had $5,000 in damage; the bus had $1,000 in damage, according to LOPD.

Barnes was charged with wreckless driving, according to LOPD.