Kountze VFD were the first responders after a Dodge Ram pickup struck a Kountze school bus on Wednesday with 11 students on board. - Photo by Daniel Elizondo

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the driver of a 1996 Dodge Ram pickup was traveling in the southbound lanes of Texas 326 near Laird Road outside of Kountze at a high rate of speed. The driver then passed three vehicles on the shoulder of the highway while they were stopped behind the school bus.

According to the report, pickup side-swiped a 2002 Honda Accord, a 2007 Toyota Corolla and a 2007 Dodge pickup before swerving back into the main lane and striking the bus as it began to pull away at around 3:45 p.m.

Eleven students from Kountze ISD were on the bus at the time of the accident.

The driver of the pickup was airlifted to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, where she was listed as critical. She was later listed in stable condition on Thursday.

Four students and the driver of the bus, were transported by Acadian Ambulance to Baptist Hospital in Beaumont with minor injuries. The driver of the Accord was also transported with minor injuries.

The drivers and passengers of the other vehicles involved in the accident were not injured.

DPS is continuing an investigation to find the exact cause of the accident.

The bus remained in the southbound lane after impact with its red flashing warning lights and its stop sign engaged.