Man dies in Wythe County crash involving school bus

Virginia State Police Trooper C.T. Viars is investigating a two-vehicle crash in Wythe County. The crash occurred at 2:20 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 24) on Route 11, less than a mile south of Route 667 near St. Paul.

A 1999 Ford Crown Victoria was traveling south on Route 11 when it crossed the centerline and struck head-on a northbound 2015 Chevrolet Express Van. The impact of the crash caused the Ford to run off the right side of the road and come to rest.

The driver of the Ford, Michael W. Parks, 54, of Sugar Grove, Va., died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt.

The 56-year-old male driver of the van was not injured in the crash. An adult assistant on the bus was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The van is operated by Wythe County Public Schools as a school bus. There were no students on the bus at the time of the crash.