Fatal head-on school bus crash closes roadway on Tucson's southwest side

A man was killed in a head-on crash with a school bus on Tucson’s southwest side Wednesday morning.

There were no children on the Tucson Unified School District bus at the time of the crash, which occurred at Valencia Road and Camino de la Tierra.

Around 7:20 a.m., Pima County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area, where they learned the driver of a car headed east on Valencia swerved into the westbound lanes to avoid rear ending a car that was stopped in traffic.

It was in the westbound lanes that the car crashed into the school bus, a news release said. The school bus then crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a pickup truck being driven by 34-year-old Ronnie Estrella.

Estrella died at the scene. No other serious injuries were reported.

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The roadway was closed until just before 5 p.m.

The investigation continues, though neither speed or impairment appear to be factors, the Sheriff’s Department said.

TUSD confirmed the bus driver was cooperating with deputies while they investigated.