ALEXANDER COUNTY -- The State Highway Patrol is investigating a school bus crash in Alexander County.

The crash happened just after 7:30 a.m. on Icard Ridge Road near NC Highway 127, close to West Alexander Middle School and Bethlehem. Highway Patrol says the wreck occured when a car was traveling south on Icard Ridge Road, crossed the center line, and crashed into the bus. The bus then continued on the roadway and overturned. 

Nineteen students were on the bus at the time. Thirteen students were taken to area hospitals, as well as the bus driver and the driver of the car. Twelve of the children's injuries are minor and one is critical. 

We are told some injuries include bumps, bruises and broken bones. A parent told Spectrum News that her child was taken back to school with five others, but they were later taken to hospital after they began to get sick. The latest reports show the student is in stable condition and expected to return home in the next few days.
 
56 year old Kimberly Austin has already been cited with a DWI and driving left of center by the Highway Patrol. They have also charged her with two misdemeaner counts of child abuse.
 
This is because when Austin was driving Monday morning, she had her two grandchildren in the car. She had just dropped off one at West Alexander Middle School and was on the way to drop the other when she hit the school bus on Icard Ridge Road.
 
Austin admitted to drinking the night before but said she was not under the influence at the time of the wreck. She is now facing a $10,000 bond. State Highway Patrol and the Sheriff's Office said more charges could be coming.

We'll bring you the latest in this developing story when available.