Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story erroneously reported the make and model of the vehicle involved as a Ford. The story has been updated. 

Bits of Alex Fenyo’s truck were strewn all over State Route 347. The hood of his Dodge Ram 1500 crumpled like wet paper, lodged under a school bus. Fenyo doesn’t remember exactly what happened. For legal reasons, he can’t talk much about the accident.

Last Thursday, Fenyo, a Cobblestone Farms entrepreneur, was driving a load of aloe, wrapping up for the day. A Stanfield Elementary School bus entered the intersection. According to state investigators, Fenyo and another driver broadsided the bus. The bus driver was at fault, according to initial reports from state investigators. 

Fenyo woke up among shattered glass, aloe leaves filling his front cab and a broken steering wheel. In photos he’s shared since, the mangled red truck contrasts against the bright yellow school bus, the two twisted into each other. The bus was carrying approximately 30 students, many of whom had injuries of their own. Five kids and the bus driver went to the hospital, reporting minor injuries. Miraculously, no one died.  

Fenyo, 35, suffered minor but painful injuries. He was one of the first to help the students and driver, despite his own condition. It wasn’t until later, when the adrenaline was replaced with pain that he really took stock of the cuts on his hand, his sprained wrist and badly swollen foot.

“Basically, my steering wheel was between my legs when I got out,” Fenyo told InMaricopa. “I think my wrist bent backwards. My foot’s swollen and bruised, but thankfully I can still walk. The hardest part is that I run my own business and right now I can’t really use my wrist to work.” 

Fenyo’s company, 1st Choice Property Care, announced on Facebook that it would be temporarily pausing new customer intake while Fenyo focuses on recovery. “We wanted to make it clear that Alex was not at fault for the accident,” the statement read. “Safety and responsibility on the road are things we take very seriously.” 

Now, days later, he’s posting even more photos of his wreckage, showing what’s left of it in the junkyard.

“It looks worse without the bus still attached,” he wrote. “Jeez … How the hell did I make it?”

Despite his injuries, Fenyo has already acquired a replacement truck and is determined to rebuild. “I can drive, but I’m just trying to get my business going again, back to full capacity,” he explained.

The Stanfield Elementary School District superintendent, Jennifer Murrieta, emphasized that while the cause remains under formal review, her focus is on the children. “We’re thankful that there weren’t any more serious injuries than there were,” she told InMaricopa. “We’re working to support the families with counseling and services.” 

The Pinal County School Superintendent’s Office echoed that sentiment in a statement: “Our hearts are with all the students, families and staff affected by this evening’s accident. Wishing a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured. Thank you to the first responders and medical teams for their quick action and care.” 

As Fenyo lets his body rest, he remains grateful for the outpouring of support. “We’ve had so many people reach out and offer help,” he said. “It means the world.” 

For now, he continues his recovery while his business stands temporarily paused.