NEWARK, DE – A school bus driver was fatally struck by another bus while preparing to conduct an emergency exit drill at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School.
The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. on October 23, 2025, in the drop-off lane of the school located at 50 Gender Road. A 54-year-old woman from Wilmington was behind the first IC 300 school bus when a second bus, also an IC 300 model, drifted forward and struck her. The reason for the movement remains under investigation.
The victim, identified as Wanda Montalvo of Wilmington, was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. Her identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the second bus, a 53-year-old woman from New Castle, was not injured.
Both buses were transporting a total of 48 students. No injuries to students have been reported.
The parking lot remained closed for approximately four hours while the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417 or reach out via private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
