A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty in connection with a 2025 crash that left dozens of students and school staff injured in Arizona. The case stems from a violent collision involving a Kingman Unified School District bus carrying students on a field trip when it was struck on Interstate 10 near Marana.
According to court records and statements from prosecutors, Nicolas Luis Rodriguez pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, including three counts of aggravated assault with severe injury, criminal damage, and driving under the influence. As part of his sentencing, he was also ordered to pay nearly $180,000 in restitution to cover damages to the school bus and compensate victims.
The crash occurred on April 1, 2025, as the school bus was traveling to a conference in Tucson. Authorities said the bus was nearing the end of a long six-hour journey when Rodriguez’s vehicle collided with it on the highway. Investigators reported that the impact caused the bus to lose control and overturn onto its side, while Rodriguez’s car veered across multiple lanes of traffic on I-10.
Emergency responders arrived quickly at the scene and found widespread injuries among passengers. In total, 41 people on board the bus were injured, including 35 students along with teachers and staff members. While no fatalities were reported, the scale of the crash prompted a major emergency response and a full investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Medical reports indicated that three students sustained particularly severe injuries. One student reportedly suffered the loss of a hand as a result of the collision, underscoring the seriousness of the crash and its long-term consequences for the victims involved.
Investigators later determined that impairment played a significant role in the incident. Rodriguez was arrested and charged following the investigation, and prosecutors moved forward with multiple felony counts related to the crash. The case ultimately concluded with a guilty plea, avoiding a lengthy trial process.
At sentencing on June 15, 2025, the court imposed a seven-year prison term along with financial restitution. Prosecutors described the outcome as accountability for a preventable crash that caused lasting harm to dozens of families, students, and school personnel.
For the Kingman Unified School District community, the incident remains a deeply traumatic event, particularly for those who were on board the bus that day. While the legal case has now concluded, recovery efforts for injured students and ongoing emotional impact continue long after the crash itself.
