AURORA, Ind. — The bus driver involved in a March 6 crash that injured 23 students will not face criminal charges, according to Prosecutor Lynn Deddens.
The South Dearborn Community School Corporation bus was headed eastbound on State Route 350 just before 8 a.m. that day when it collided with a stationary Rumpke garbage truck parked on the side of the road near Mount Sinai Road, Indiana State Police Sgt. Stephen Wheeles said.
First responders transported 23 students ranging in ages from 11 to 16 to a hospital with various injuries. A 13-year-old broke both of his legs when the seat in front of him collapsed on top of him, Deddens said.
Investigators determined the bus driver was “traveling at a speed too fast for conditions” because there was a “blinding glare from the sun” at the time of the crash, Deddens said. The bus driver was cited with a traffic ticket in Lawrenceburg City Court.
The bus driver suffered serious injuries, Wheeles said. The Rumpke driver, who was not in the truck at the time of the crash, was also taken to a hospital because he was injured by debris, according to Rumpke spokeswoman Molly Yeager. Wheeles said the Rumpke driver had minor injuries.
Both the bus driver and the Rumpke driver were evaluated, and neither driver had drugs or alcohol in their system, Deddens said.
In a statement released by Rumpke, the driver thanked everyone who offered him support after the crash.
"I keep those impacted by the accident in my prayers every day," he said. "I love my job and would never want to quit. I implore all drivers, to focus on the road and driving. Look for unexpected obstacles and people in your path. It takes all of us to make our roads safer for everyone."
WCPO is not naming the bus driver because he is not being charged.
