MARION COUNTY, Fla. -- The driver of a semi that smashed into the back of a school bus admitted he was on his cell phone, according to Captain Gregory LaMont of the Florida Highway Patrol. Four students were in critical condition after the horrific bus crash claimed the life of 13-year-old Frances Schee on Tuesday afternoon.

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CHARRED CRASH SCENE: Ground Images | Aerial Images | Raw Video
VIDEO REPORT: Driver Admits He Was On Phone During Collision With Bus

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Troopers said the 30-year-old truck driver, Reinaldo Gonzalez of Orlando, slammed into the back of the school bus while students were getting off. There were no skid marks, suggesting Gonzalez didn't use his brakes before impact. Gonzalez was hauling home improvement goods from Jacksonville to Lake County.

James Horton was an eyewitness to the crash on US-301 in Citra.

"I saw the bus stop and flashing lights on. Then the semi slammed into it with no hesitation and no stopping. It burst into flames," he said.

There were 21 students on the school bus when it crashed. Troopers said the deadly school bus crash could have been worse if not for a handful of heroes who helped save the children from the burning bus. Horton, along with three others, helped save the lives of some of those stuck inside bus.

"I stopped my truck, jumped out, ran over and helped get the kids off the bus," said Horton.

Alvin Tuggerson lives in Marion County and heard the deadly school bus crash.

"It sounded like the space center, like the space ship was coming in. You know how it makes that big 'boom boom boom,' that's what it sounded like. It's bad because my child gets off at the next stop up the road. It could have been anybody's child. I was shaken up," Tuggerson said.

The bus driver and eight students were injured. Frances Schee, 13, died. She was an eighth grade student at North Marion Middle School. Of the students injured, six were released and two remain hospitalized. Both drivers also were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

School officials said the bus stop signs were out and the bus lights were flashing.

"I've been here almost eight years and we deal with bus accidents on a regular basis but never, ever anything to this magnitude and we pray it never happens again," said Kevin Christian, a representative of Marion County Public Schools.

The school superintendent described the crash as "a sad day for Marion County schools."

Eyewitness News discovered that Reinaldo Gonzalez owns the trucking company himself. It's called Andujar Transport and it's based in South Orange County on Timberbend Circle off Town Center Boulevard. Andujar is the only driver and records show he's had no other crashes in the last two years.

Captain LaMont said charges are pending against Gonzalez. The investigation could take up to 45 days. Investigators said they will be going through the wreckage piece by piece.

FRIEND, TEACHER REMEMBER "POPULAR" TEEN GIRL

As students board school buses in Marion County on Wednesday, it will be with heavy hearts. There will be grief counselors at several Marion County schools Wednesday, including Frances' school.

Natalya Mitchell, a friend of Frances was on the bus during the accident.

"All we saw was a big truck coming up and then it hit us and we saw fire. We were pushed against the road and we were not able to get off the bus because it was still moving," Mitchell said. "She was always my friend since Pre-K. We laughed together all the time. It's scary. She's gone now."

Frances was part of the band and played the clarinet. Sara Nett Wood was one of her social studies teachers.

"I would see Frances and she would smile and she would have something wonderful to say. She would tell me a good story or whatever. She is very popular. She's like the kind of student all teachers wanted to have," Wood said.

"It's going to be very hard for everyone, because people are still crying now. It's crazy," Mitchell said.