UPDATE: School bus driver may face charges after crash involving Eau Claire middle school students

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The driver of a school bus involved in a crash Thursday may face charges.

According to an update from the Wisconsin State Patrol Monday, charges of 'operate motor vehicle following too closely' and 'operate a school bus without the proper school bus endorsement' were referred to the St. Croix County DA's office.

Eight people including six middle school students were injured in the crash.

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HUDSON, Wis. (WKBT) -- Eight people including six middle schoolers have been injured in a school bus crash near Hudson.

The crash involved students from DeLong Middle School on their way to the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis for a field trip. Students were on two buses, the second of which was in the accident.

According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, the crash happened at 10:30 a.m. on I-94 on the St Croix River Bridge near Hudson. A vehicle stopped to allow another merging vehicle into the lane, which slowed traffic suddenly. As a result, one of the school buses rear-ended an empty tanker trailer.

Two lanes of traffic were closed for construction at the time.

According to Eau Claire Area School District officials, six students, one chaperone and the bus driver sustained minor injuries. Two students were taken to the hospital, one with a cut lip and another for precautionary measures. The others were treated at the scene.

Students from the first bus not involved in the crash were sent back and expected to arrive around 12:30 p.m. Students on the second bus are expected to arrive later in the afternoon.

The accident is currently under investigation by law enforcement.

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