A bus carrying a football team Friday from Carmel High School was struck by a projectile as it traveled on Hwy. 101 near Prunedale on its way to San Jose for a playoff game, leaving one student with minor injuries.
The incident, which happened at 4:42 p.m., marks the 40th time a vehicle has been hit by a projectile in that area since February. The projectile shattered the emergency glass in the school bus, but all students were cleared to play in the scheduled football game, according to the Carmel Unified School District.
It was the second time Friday a vehicle was hit by something on northbound Hwy. 101 near the busy Hwy. 156 interchange in Prunedale. A Mercedes was struck just minutes before the bus, leaving two people hurt.
The CHP believes all of the incidents are deliberate.
"We're taking these incidents very seriously and we're dedicating all available resources to locate the persons responsible," a CHP spokesperson said.
The parents of Carmel's quarterback were on the way to Branham High School for the game in San Jose when they found out what happened.
"My wife pulled out the pom poms and we cheered on both of the school buses going along the road," said Bill Lee, the quarterback's father. "About 15 minutes later our son texts us and says a rock when through the side window."
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Parents said that a Carmel player was hit in the eye by glass, but was treated and released. The team switched buses and made it to Branham for the game, which was delayed.
"Very scary," said a Carmel High School parent. "That's been happening on that highway for awhile now. The CHP has been on it but once they start hitting school buses, it's too bad."
A $1,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can provide information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for these incidents.
