Police: Charges pending against car driver in crash with bus

TAMPA -- Charges are pending against the 19-year-old driver of a car involved in a fatal collision with a school bus Wednesday, Tampa police said.

"He violated the bus' right of way when he made that turn, and he didn't yield to the bus," said police spokeswoman Janelle McGregor.

Aaron Jay Lorenz of St. Petersburg wasn't cited at the scene because of his injuries, McGregor said. Lorenz was in critical condition this morning at Tampa General Hospital. His 16-year-old sister, Janet, who was riding in the car's back seat, was listed in good condition.

The car's front-seat passenger, Charlene Mercedes Murray, 19, was killed in the accident.

All three teens were wearing seat belts, police said.

It occurred at 3:46 p.m. Wednesday near Stetson University's Tampa Law Center, just north of downtown Tampa.

None of the 29 students riding the school bus were hurt, officials said.

-- Bill Coats, Times Staff Writer