CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — There were multiple fatalities in an elementary school bus crash in Chattanooga, according to police.
Police said the bus crash sent 23 people to area hospitals and 35 schoolchildren were on the bus Monday afternoon.
The District Attorney's office told WTVC that five children died at the scene and one more died at an area hospital.
#ChattPD RECONFIRMS 5 fatalities in Monday's tragic school bus crash on Talley Rd. CPD will update any new info as it's received.
— Chattanooga Police (@ChattanoogaPD) November 22, 2016
Johnthony Walker, 24, was arrested and charged with five counts of vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving, according to WTVC.
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Hamilton County mugshot of Johnthony Walker, bus driver charged in the Chattanooga, TN bus crash that has killed five children pic.twitter.com/IDui0DuN1E
— Erin Dean (@erinfdean) November 22, 2016
NOW: Chattanooga PD arrest bus driver, charge him with 5 counts of vehicular homicide following fatal bus crash https://t.co/uJLxEFGC2b pic.twitter.com/kdHgfZQxPk
— WTVC NewsChannel 9 (@newschannelnine) November 22, 2016
Chattanooga police say speed is being investigated "very, very strongly" as a factor in the crash.
"It is a complicated crime scene that covers a significant area. I can't tell you if there were any issues (with road conditions). There were none that jumped out. Right now it appears that one contributing factor may be speed but that is part of an active, ongoing investigation," CPD Chief Fred Fletcher said.
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The bus driver is being questioned and is cooperating, according to WTVC.
The bus was the only vehicle involved in the crash.
Photos released by the Chattanooga Fire Department show the bus split in half by a tree. They said several patients had to be extricated from the bus.
Last patient just extricated from bus by #ChattFire here at school bus crash on Talley Rd. EMS is transporting. pic.twitter.com/0GhrSSy0Wc
— Chattanooga FireDept (@ChattFireDept) November 21, 2016
The students on board ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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