Austin ISD school bus crash near U.S. 290 and Fitzhugh Road disrupts Thursday morning traffic

What happened and where

An Austin Independent School District (AISD) school bus was involved in a traffic crash Thursday morning, March 5, 2026, near the intersection of westbound U.S. Highway 290 and Fitzhugh Road in the Dripping Springs area of western Travis County. Emergency crews were dispatched after a call received shortly after 7 a.m.

Initial information released by law enforcement described the incident as a collision involving the school bus and at least one other vehicle. The bus was reported to be stopped at a traffic light when the other vehicle scraped along the side of the bus.

Students on board and reported injuries

Authorities reported four students were on the bus at the time of the crash. No student injuries were reported in the initial response.

One person from another vehicle involved in the collision was transported to a hospital. Officials did not release the person’s condition, the number of vehicles involved beyond the bus, or any identifying details.

Traffic impacts during the morning commute

The crash triggered significant travel disruption in a corridor that serves both commuter traffic and local access to communities along and south of U.S. 290. Eastbound lanes at Fitzhugh Road were reported closed as of about 7:40 a.m., contributing to delays during the peak morning commute period.

Lane closures of this kind can quickly back up traffic on U.S. 290, where turning movements and signalized intersections concentrate vehicles into fewer available routes. Drivers in the area faced slowdowns and limited options for detours while responders worked the scene and vehicles were cleared.

What is known about cause and what remains unconfirmed

At this stage, officials have not released a determination of fault or a cause, and no citations or arrests were announced in the initial public briefing. The description provided indicates a sideswipe-type contact rather than a high-speed impact, but investigators had not published a reconstruction, estimated speeds, or contributing factors such as distraction, impairment, or weather at the time of the early reports.

Key confirmed points so far

• AISD school bus involved in a crash near U.S. 290 and Fitzhugh Road on Thursday morning, March 5, 2026.
• Call for service reported shortly after 7 a.m.; the bus was described as stopped at a light when struck along the side.
• Four students were reported on the bus; no student injuries were reported in initial information.
• One occupant from another involved vehicle was transported to a hospital.
• Eastbound lane closures at Fitzhugh Road were reported around 7:40 a.m., causing rush-hour delays.

Officials described the incident as a vehicle scraping the side of a school bus that was stopped at a traffic light.

The investigation and any additional safety or operational updates from AISD or local authorities were not yet publicly detailed in the initial reports.