BIG LAKE -- A series of sneezes is blamed for the collision of an SUV with a school bus Tuesday afternoon.

Megan Peters, spokeswoman for the Alaska State Troopers, said the driver of the SUV, Mary McClinn, 23, of Wasilla, told troopers she was sneezing and by the time she saw the bus, she took evasive action but it was too late.

Her passenger, Jesse Earls, 26, also of Wasilla, was injured. He was flown to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage with serious injuries.

None of the 22 Big Lake Elementary School children on the bus, nor the driver, suffered any injuries.

Peters said driving conditions were good when the collision occurred at about 4:15 and the road straight. She said neither McClinn nor Earls were wearing seatbelts and the airbags in the Toyota 4Runner did not deploy.