A Hillsborough resident suffered “serious” injuries and faces reckless driving charges after crashing into an Orange County Schools school bus on Wednesday afternoon, according to state investigators.

A release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on Wednesday said troopers responded to reports of a crash along Faucette Mill Road at the intersection of Odie Street at 3:15 p.m. 58-year-old Maritza Brooks was traveling west on the road behind the school bus. When the bus began to initiate a left turn onto Odie Street, Brooks attempted to pass the vehicle and struck the driver’s side of the bus with her Subaru Outback, according to the release.

The State Highway Patrol said the collision caused Brooks’ Subaru to overturn and she was ejected from the vehicle. The school bus, which had 19 children onboard, stayed upright. Orange County Schools confirmed to Chapelboro the bus was carrying students from River Park Elementary School.

“We want to remind everyone that our highest priority is always the safety of our students, our staff, and the motoring public,” said the district in a statement.

Two of the children were evaluated for injuries on-scene by EMS afterward and released to their parents, while the driver of the school bus was taken to UNC Hospitals in Hillsborough with minor injuries. Wednesday’s release said Brooks, whose injuries were more severe, was taken to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill for treatment. Investigators said no other injuries were reported from the crash.

State Highway Patrol said Brooks is charged with carless and reckless driving, passing in a no passing zone, and failure to wear a seatbelt.

The Orange County intersection was closed from around one hour during the investigation and clearing of the crash, with state troopers reopening the roads at 4:23 p.m., according to the highway patrol’s release.

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