Man slams into school bus, dies

LEONARDTOWN, Md. -  

A reckless driver illegally passing on the shoulder lost control and slammed into a school bus Friday morning, police said.

The driver, identified as 46-year-old Dennis Anthony Gingles of Lexington Park, died after he was thrown from his 2005 Hyundai around 8 a.m. Friday.  St. Mary’s County police said Gingles was driving south on Point Lookout Road when he illegally passed two cars on the shoulder.  While on the shoulder he lost control of his car and crossed the southbound lane into the northbound lane where he hit a school bus loaded with 8 Great Mills High School students.

The students were not hurt, but Gingles was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from his car. He was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital where he later died.

Police said speed was a contributing factor to the crash.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call St. Mary’s Police at (301)475-4200 Ext. 9018.