September 28, 2026 – SANGER, Texas — A tight-knit North Texas community is in mourning following a devastating single-vehicle school bus accident on Thursday afternoon that claimed the life of a 13-year-old student.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the crash occurred at approximately 4:55 p.m. on September 24 along Huling Road, near Lois Road East, in an unincorporated area of Denton County.
Investigators stated that a Sanger Independent School District (ISD) bus was traveling northbound when, for reasons still under investigation, it left the roadway. The vehicle struck a concrete drainage culvert and rolled over onto its side.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the student killed in the crash as 13-year-old Julian Amador.
Amador was transported by emergency medical services to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
At the time of the accident, four students and the driver were on board.The driver, identified as 38-year-old Jesse Padgett, along with the three surviving student passengers, sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Sanger ISD administration released a heartfelt statement following the tragedy: “Our hearts are with the student’s family and all those impacted by this tragedy. Please keep the family and all those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts.”
Elected officials and community leaders have also shared messages of condolence and support for the affected families and first responders.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the ongoing investigation. Authorities have indicated that a final determination regarding what caused the bus to leave the roadway has not yet been finalized.
