Harrisburg (Missouri) High School cross country coach Brian Simpson was killed in a car accident Thursday when a pickup truck hit the bus he was driving in a head-on collision. He was 37.
According to the report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the pickup truck, driven by 26-year-old Brandon Brill, crossed the center lane and struck the bus around 2:30 PM Thursday. Simpson was wearing a seatbelt, while Brill was not.
According to the Colombia Daily Tribune, Simpson was taking students to a meet in the nearby town of Moberly. There were four student athletes onboard the bus at the time of the accident and all four were taken to the hospital, including two in serious condition.
In a message on the high school's website, Superintendent Steve Combs said, "We are all shocked and saddened by these events.
"We need our staff, parents, and community to know that our first priority is to tend to the well-being of Mr. Simpson's family and our students. School will not be in session tomorrow as we will work together to support the Simpson family, as well as the needs of our students and staff."
Simpson also taught history and coached baseball and quiz bowl at Harrisburg.