JEFFERSONVILLE – Wednesday at approximately 4:56 p.m., troopers with the Indiana State Police responded to a crash involving a school bus on I-265 westbound near the 33-mile marker, which is near the 10th Street and State Road 62 exit.
The preliminary investigation indicates a 2023 North Harrison school bus driven by Debra Barr, 69, of Ramsey, Indiana, was transporting members of the North Harrison girls’ middle school volleyball team when it pulled onto the right shoulder of I-265 westbound.
The bus then attempted a U-turn at an interstate crossover to enter the eastbound lanes. As the school bus was stopped in the crossover, the rear portion remained in the left lane of I-265 westbound.
A blue 2026 Kia Sportage driven by Michael Bigenho, 25, of New Albany, was traveling westbound and struck the rear of the school bus.
Bigenho sustained minor injuries to his hands. After the crash, the Kia caught fire; however, bystanders extinguished the fire before additional injuries occurred.
Bystanders and first responders assisted in removing all passengers from the school bus.
Two juvenile passengers from the volleyball team were transported to Norton Children’s Hospital for evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries.
Barr was cited for making an illegal U-turn on the interstate.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
Indiana State Police were assisted at the scene by the Jeffersonville Police Department, Utica Police Department, Jeffersonville Fire Department, and Heartland EMS.
The crash remains under investigation.
