Draft:Lake Butler Bus Crash

On Wednesday January 25th, 2006, a semi-trailer truck crashed into a school bus and a car behind it, killing 7 kids on State Road 121 near Lake Butler and Gainesville and injuring 11. It is one of the most tragic car crashes in Gainesville history.

Events
A day prior to the crash, a 31 year old man named Alvin Wilkerson wasn't getting enough sleep. While driving on State Road 121 in Lake Butler, he unknowingly rear-ended a car and a bus. The bus was unloading the kids and they got into the car. The car was being driven by Amanda Scott and her daughter Barbara Mann (who was the mom of the victims). Wilkerson rear-ended the car with many kids inside. The car caught on fire and killed 7 of the 16 children and injuring Scott and the other kids.

Victims
Anthony C. Lamb (5/23/04 - 1/25/06), Ashley Lee Keen (2/24/91 - 1/25/06), Elizabeth D. Mann (3/14/90 - 1/25/06), Heaven Mann (10/6/02 - 1/25/06), Johnny Mann (7/30/92 - 1/25/06), Miranda D. Finn (5/20/95 - 1/25/06) and Nikki N. Mann (6/07/90 - 1/25/06). Lamb was in the process of being adopted the following Thursday.

Arrest and trial
After the crash, Wilkerson was arrested, and in June 2008, his trial began. During the trial, he stood no contest and was sentenced to 7 years in prison, 1 year for each kid. As of 2024, Wilkerson is 47 years old.

Memorials
The Florida Department of Transportation installed 7 memorial signs that read: "Drive Safely" to honor the 7 dead children. As of 2024, the signs still remain at the site.