West Columbia, SC — A tragic accident occurred on Industrial Drive involving a school bus, a van, and a motorcyclist, resulting in the death of 45-year-old Jon Douglas Ratcliff. The incident happened when Ratcliff, who was stopped behind the school bus, was struck by a van approaching from the rear. The collision pinned Ratcliff between the van and the school bus, causing fatal injuries.
Ratcliff was pronounced dead at the scene. Eyewitnesses reported that the impact of the collision threw the motorcycle 40 feet down the road and described the noise of the crash as exceptionally loud.
The driver of the van, identified as 20-year-old Giovanni Mendoza Jimenez, was injured and transported to a nearby hospital for minor injuries. There were seven students on the bus at the time of the accident, with only one student needing hospital treatment for minor injuries.
Jimenez has been charged with driving without a license, and additional charges are pending. He is currently being held at the Lexington Detention Center.
