The mother of a man killed in a fiery crash says her son was hauling hay bales for the family farm when the tractor-trailer he was driving collided with a school bus.

Penny Witte, of Blue Hill, confirmed that her son, 21-year-old Travis Witte, also of Blue Hill, died in the crash at a rural intersection around 5 p.m. Wednesday. The driver of the school bus and two children in the bus also died. Four other children were injured.

Penny Witte says her son “had a big heart,” and was engaged to be married.

Travis Witte participated in the 2008 American Legion Cornhusker Boys State, and his mother says that had given him a taste for public service. She says he had talked of seeking a Webster County commissioner’s seat.