Roll Over School Bus on I-65
Jasper County-Today, Saturday, March 19, 2016, a driver of a passenger car spilled a drink on herself causing her to sideswipe a Griffith School Corporation bus causing it to roll over.
Preliminary investigation by Senior Trooper Dwayne Halliburton revealed that at approximately 12:10 p.m., on I-65 south bound at the 230 ½ mile marker (this is ½ mile north of the Demotte exit), a 2001 Kia, driven by Dominique T. Small, 23 of Terre Haute, was south bound in the left lane, when the lid of her drink came off, spilling the contents on her. She attempted to grab the drink, losing control of her vehicle and causing her to side swipe a Griffith School bus that was travelling in the right lane. The school bus after being hit went off the roadway to the west and rolled over.
The school bus, driven by Andriana Wright, 54 of Griffith, was loaded with varsity high school basketball players, ball boy, coaches, managers, athletic trainer from Griffith High School and bus driver (total of 6 adults and 21 students) that were going to Lafayette to play in the Semi State Basketball Tournament.
A school bus from Kankakee Valley School Corporation and ambulances took the majority of the occupants of the bus to Franciscan Jasper County Hospital in Rensselaer (total 20). All the injuries were non-life threatening.
One of the coaches was flown by air ambulance, from SR 10 and SR 110 in Jasper County, to the University of Chicago in Illinois with non-life threatening injuries.
Two individuals (the bus driver and a coach) was taken by ambulance to Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Illinois with non-life threatening injuries.
Four individuals (athletic trainer and 3 students) were taken by ambulance to South Lake Methodist Hospital in Merrillville with non-life threatening injuries.
Small and her passenger were also taken to Franciscan Jasper County Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The left lane was open during the investigation/reconstruction of the crash. Traffic was backed up for almost 10 miles during this time. All lanes were reopened at 4:00 p.m.
Agencies assisting: Keener Township Fire and Rescue, Jasper County Sheriff Department, Kankakee Valley School Corporation, Griffith School Corporation, Indiana Department of Transportation, and Cheever’s Towing.
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All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Address/Location
Indiana State Police-Lowell District 13-Lowell, IN
1550 East 181st Avenue
Lowell, IN 46356
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 219-696-6242
Ann Wojas
Public Information Office Lowell District
[email protected]
219-696-6242