13-year-old killed in school bus rollover crash; Sanger community grieves

The Sanger community is mourning the death of 13-year-old Julian Amador, a Sanger ISD student killed in a school bus crash Thursday afternoon.

The Sanger community is mourning the death of 13-year-old Julian Amador, a Sanger ISD student killed in a school bus crash Thursday afternoon.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the investigation into what caused bus driver Jesse Padgett to veer off the roadway with four students on board. Three students and Padgett survived the crash.

Sanger Fire and Sanger Police were sent to a single-vehicle accident at approximately 4:55 p.m. on Thursday, according to Sanger City Manager John Noblitt. The accident happened at Huling Road and Lois Road East in Denton County, Noblitt said in a statement.

Texas Sky Ranger captured video of a school bus on its side.

At the crash scene, evidence of the impact remains visible. The bus appeared to veer off the roadway before striking a culvert and flipping onto its side. The force of the crash tore up sections of asphalt, while orange markings trace the path of vehicle debris to where the bus came to rest.

Investigators have not said what caused the crash, and it remains unclear whether Padgett will face any charges.

Sanger ISD was closed Friday as part of its four-day school week, leaving the community to mourn while residents found ways to show their support for Amador's family and honor his memory.

“My heart hurts for the family,” Tammy Bell, who lives in Sanger, said. “I told them today to make sure they wear purple, a purple shirt or their singer shirt in honor of him today.”

Others said plans are already underway to remember Amador when students return to school.

“On School on Monday, a lot [of] people are gonna wear black and blue in honor of him,” Sadie Kelly, who lives in Sanger, said.

Bell said the community intends to continue supporting the grieving family.

“I will do whatever I can to help the family,” Bell said.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.