New Details Emerge in Minco High School Softball Bus Accident

New details emerged on Tuesday afternoon regarding the devastating bus crash in Oklahoma that carried members of the Minco High School softball team.

The crash left several members of the team injured.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Mark Southall said the driver, 38-year-old head softball coach Cody Schmidt, swerved left to avoid a deer, struck the animal, and the bus overturned once before landing upright.

MINCO SCHOOL BUS CRASH | Several people were seriously injured, and at least six are in critical condition after a school bus carrying a Minco softball team rolled over Monday night in Grady County. Learn more from @KOCODacoda here: https://t.co/IsNQ0u0GD7 pic.twitter.com/Q97fYPBmPR
— koconews (@koconews) September 9, 2025

According to OHP, the bus was actually carrying 18 people, contrary to previous reports stating that only 13 were on board. Four people were ejected when the bus rolled over.

Schmidt was the only person wearing a seatbelt, according to OHP.

Reported Injuries

Two adults with non-serious injuries

One adult in critical condition, not the driver

Two children with non-serious injuries

Two children in critical condition

Sophomore Recalls Accident in Interview

Sophomore Presley Bilderback posted a photo on social media of her lying in a hospital bed with a neck brace before speaking to Dale Denwalt and Jordan Davis of The Oklahoman on Tuesday.

Not how I thought the after game would look like. Thankful we all lived after the crash! #mincosoftball Thank you God for your protection. @OklahomanSports @cschmidt054 @IWasAtTheGame @xx_xyathletics @LXTdad @barstoolsports @EnidBruins2 @ConnectSports_ @CoastRecruits… pic.twitter.com/vsbvMA7Tgp
— Presley Bilderback 2028 (@bilderback3232) September 9, 2025

"We swerved for a while, then I remember flipping on the bus," Bilderback told The Oklahoman. "I tried to hold on my best, and the first thing I remember when it stopped was just everyone crying."

Bilderback's mother, Julie, also spoke with the newspaper. She recalled getting an alert from her Life360 app and then rushing to the scene.

"It was like a war zone, she said. "It was bloody."

Long Road Ahead

One of the coaches on the bus, Jordan Benge, is recovering in the hospital and is in critical condition, according to a Meal Train page that was set up to support his wife and two children.

"Jordan Benge is currently in the hospital undergoing multiple procedures after the bus crash on Sept 8th that involved the Minco Softball team," the page states. "Jordan will be undergoing another procedure soon and has a long road to recovery ahead of him. His wife Lauren and their two kids, Deacon and Marley, will need our support in the meantime."

Season Cancelled

In a statement posted by Minco Public Schools on Tuesday, Kevin Sims announced that the rest of the junior varsity and varsity seasons have been cancelled.

However, school will resume as scheduled on Wednesday. Homecoming has been rescheduled for Oct. 3, and the homecoming parade will be held on Oct. 2.

"Life is fragile—hold tightly to your loved ones," Sims stated. "We feel your prayers and support, and we ask that you continue lifting up our student-athletes, coaches, and their families as they recover."