Car collides with spirit bus on Oakland Ave.

By David Thackham
thackhamd@mytjnow.com

(Click for more photos) -- Photo By Jenni Buker Special to The Johnsonian

Update : Winthrop athletic director Tom Hickman said the bus was sent to the body shop just a few days after the crash.

“Hopefully by this time next week, it’ll be back in operation.”

A woman was sent to the hospital after her Nissan Xterra and the Winthrop Eagles spirit bus collided just outside the Winthrop University campus gate at 2:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon. 

Nicole LeClair witnessed the crash as she sat outside the Dacus Library. 

“I was working on a research paper,” she said. “I went outside to call [my dad] and I saw the lady fly through the red light.” 

The woman is not a Winthrop student. LeClair describes her as being around 40 or 50 years old. 

LeClair says the Winthrop spirit bus was making its way toward the Winthrop Coliseum to transport fans to the upcoming Eagles’ women’s basketball game against Niagara University at 3 p.m. Three fans were on the bus at the time of the accident. 

“She was trying to make a right turn on red,” LeClair said. “She didn’t even get a chance to make the turn, she just hit the bus.” 

Winthrop University police were the first to show at the scene, before Rock Hill police arrived at the scene. South Carolina state troopers were also called out to assist, as the Winthrop bus is a state-owned vehicle.