At least five students died Monday in a school bus crash in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (NBC News) - At least five students died in a school bus crash in Chattanooga, Tenn. Monday afternoon, and the bus driver has been charged. Investigators say speed was a factor in the crash when the driver swerved off the road.

More than 20 children from Woodmore Elementary School were taken to local hospitals. Thirty-seven children were reportedly on the bus at the time of the crash.







The school bus was mangled around a tree at the scene. Police say the ages of the students ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade.

"We have five confirmed deaths. We have of those deaths, three were in the fourth grade, one was kindergartner and one was a first grader," said Dr. Kirk Kelly, interim superintendent of Hamilton County Schools.

The bus was the only vehicle involved.

Our NBC station in Chattanooga, WRCB, reports the driver, identified as 24-year-old Johnthony Walker, was charged late Monday night with five counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless endangerment. He may face additional charges.



Detectives had previously said Walker was cooperating with their investigation.

"Let me tell you that what has happened today is every public safety official's absolute worst nightmare. But that is nothing in comparison to the nightmare that families and friends in our community is going through with this tragic loss to children in our community," Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said.



"The most unnatural thing in the world is for a parent to mourn the loss of a child. There are no words that can bring comfort to a mother and father," said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke.

A team from the NTSB is investigating.



Meanwhile, the Chattanooga community is answering the call for blood donations after local hospitals said the demand was high due to the large number of patients in need.

BREAKING: Multiple children killed in school bus crash. Still waiting on confirmation on exactly how many. @WRCB pic.twitter.com/noHvPgb2VR — Kelly McCarthy (@KellyWRCB) November 21, 2016

Disaster Response Team now on scene of the Talley Rd bus crash. I'm told they're still tending to wounded children. We're now live on @WRCB pic.twitter.com/u91Exz9iZ9 — Kelly McCarthy (@KellyWRCB) November 21, 2016



