CFD responds to school bus crash on Middle Valley Road
UPDATE: The Chattanooga Police Department and Hamilton County deputies responded to a vehicle wreck with injuries involving a school bus transporting students at the 6500 block of Middle Valley Road.
The investigation indicates the driver of a red Honda Civic crossed over the double yellow lane divider attempting to pass another vehicle, striking the bus nearly head-on.
The vehicle the driver was attempting to pass was also struck.
The driver is identified as Ethan Vela.
Vela initially left the scene but later returned.
He was transported to the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center and is charged with the following:
Driving Without a License
Leaving the Scene of An Accident Resulting in Injury
Reckless Driving
Improper Passing
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a crash involving a school bus on Middle Valley Road on November 5, 2025.
At 6:25 a.m., CFD personnel responded to the 6500 block of Middle Valley Road for a motor vehicle crash with entrapment.
CFD found a vehicle off the road in the woods with the driver pinned inside.
A Hamilton County school bus transporting students was involved in the incident.
Hamilton County EMS checked the kids out while they were on the bus, then they were all transferred onto another bus that was brought to the scene.
Firefighters had to remove the crushed drivers side to extricate the patient so that they could be transported to the hospital for further treatment of their injuries.
Law enforcement is investigating the cause of the crash.
