Benton County-Today at approximately 9:20 a.m on CR 550 north and US 41 near Earl Park in Benton County, a school bus fails to yield and pulls out in front of a car causing minor injuries.
The crash, investigated by Senior Trooper Josh Edwards stated that the yellow 2004 International bus owned by Benton School Corporation and driven by Karletta L. Smith, 52 of Oxford, IN was eastbound on CR 550 when it failed to yield and pulled in front of a white 2004 Hyundai. The Hyundai, driven by Cecil B. Smiley, 74 of Attica, IN and his wife Michele Smiley, 67 of the same address and was the front seat passenger, were northbound on US 41 when the bus pulled out in front of them. . They were both transported to IU Health Arnett in Lafayette with non life threatening injuries.
The bus, which was carrying the driver and 12 kids, sustained heavy damage. Neither the driver nor the 12 kids on the bus were transported by ambulance. Parents of the children came to the scene and were making their own determination if their kids were going to the hospital or not. The driver of the bus was ticketed for failure to yield to oncoming traffic.
“Safety equipment in the vehicle helped keep the Smiley’s from serious injuries,” stated Trooper Edwards. The Hyundai was a total loss. Assisting at the scene were units from the ISP Commercial Motor Carrier Division, Benton County Sheriff’s Department, Benton County EMS and Bennett’s Towing of Earl Park.’
Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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RILEY
Sorry, I have no pictures.
