Student with autism suddenly dies on school bus heading home to San Bernardino

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- Police said an 18-year-old student with autism died while on his way home to San Bernardino from Bright Futures Academy in Riverside.

Authorities said for some reason, Anthony Corona became agitated Friday around 6:30 p.m. on the bus.

"There was some kind of disturbance involving one of the students who was being transported on the bus. It caused the bus driver to actually exit the freeway hastily," San Bernardino police Lt. Mike Madden said.

Police said Corona was prone to outbursts, and when another student tried to step in to help, he ended up getting hurt.

That is when the bus driver and two aides worked to restrain Corona.

"While they were trying to calm this student and get the situation under control apparently he went limp," Madden said.

He was then taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The school released the following statement:

"While two special education aides and the bus driver, who are trained in de-escalation techniques, attempted to calm him, Anthony lost consciousness. Two of the staff performed CPR while the other called 911," the statement said. "A preliminary review of the circumstances indicates that school officials followed all safety protocols, and a thorough investigation is underway."

The academy specializes in helping the developmentally disabled. Administrators at the campus said all teachers are properly trained to deal with all students.

"It is incredibly sad for the family involved, for all of the people who know this young man and are part of his life. Our hearts go out to them," Madden said.

An autopsy will be performed on Corona to determine his cause of death. A GoFundMe page was set up for him at www.gofundme.com/339ttdc?ssid=835621016&pos=6.