BARTHOLOMEW CO. — A multi-vehicle crash involving a school bus in Columbus left one student with a minor injury Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Heights Court and State Street. Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane confirmed that three vehicles were involved in the serious collision. The school bus was transporting students home from Columbus East High School at the time of the crash.
“First responders report one student on the bus was injured in the crash. This student has been transported to Columbus Regional Hospital. The family of this student has been notified,” the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) stated in a release. “All other students were transferred to another bus and delivered home.”
Sheriff Lane initially urged motorists to avoid the area while deputies worked to clear the scene. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) later confirmed that the roadway reopened around 6:30 p.m.
The incident serves as a reminder of the safety challenges faced by school districts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school bus-related crashes account for less than 1% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S., but they remain a focus for safety advocates. School districts nationwide consistently stress the importance of motorist awareness, particularly around school bus stops and routes.
