Investigators plan to charge the school bus driver whose vehicle overturned Thursday morning in Riverdale, seriously injuring three student and himself and sending all 45 people on board the bus to area hospitals.

  Prince George's County schools spokesman John White said bus number 1156, running on route 306, was en route to William Wirt Middle School just before 9 a.m. when it overturned just a few block from campus.

"What I was told by my child was that the bus turned the corner and the back wheels skidded and the bus flipped on its side," said parent Lakisha Wilson.

Prince George's County police said the driver turned too quickly from Riverdale Road onto 61st Place and lost control of the vehicle.

"Our preliminary investigation reveals the driver of the school bus failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic on Riverdale Road when he turned left onto 61st [Place]... his speed was certainly greater than reasonable," said Major Kevin Davis. "In fact it was that speed that was greater than reasonable during that left-hand turn in a vehicle constructed like a school bus that simply caused the school bus to tip over." Major Davis said the driver, who was ejected from the bus and was the most seriously injured, will be charged with failure to yield the right of way.

"His arm and his chest was crushed," said the grandmother of one student, referring to the bus driver.

Passers-by stopped to help the children and the driver.

"I saw a lot of sad faces out here, parents and everybody running around, kids screaming," recalled witness William Turner. "The bus driver and kids were all banged up. It's sad. It was really sad."

Emergency responders said three students and the driver required immediate medical attention.

"I thought there was probably going to be a lot of hurt children," said witness Lisa Maholchic. "It's a miracle they weren't hurt worse."

A school statement says 20 students and the driver were transported to Prince George's Hospital Center. Most of the children suffered bumps and bruises. An additional 24 students were taken to Doctors Hospital in Lanham.

School officials say the 50-year-old driver has been employed by the school system since 2004. He will undergo a routine drug and alcohol screening, but police say there is no indication of impaired driving.