Morning accident in rural Putnam County involving a passenger vehicle and a school bus

PUTNAM COUNTY – Today at approximately 8:00 a.m., troopers from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post responded to an accident involving a South Putnam Community School Corporation school bus and a passenger vehicle in rural Putnam County.    

The preliminary crash investigation by Master Trooper Chris Harcourt revealed that Mellissa Church, 47, of Fillmore, was driving a 2019 Dodge Durango eastbound on County Road 50 South at the intersection of County Road 525 East, when her vehicle and a South Putnam School Corporation school bus collided at the intersection. The school bus was being driven by Gerald Skoog, 69, of Greencastle.  

There were approximately 24 students on board the bus that was en route to South Putnam High School at the time of the crash. No students required transport to the hospital by local EMS.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Curtis Garage. The school bus was transported to South Putnam Community School Corporation for a post-crash commercial motor vehicle inspection.

Assisting Agencies: Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, and Putnam County EMS.  

As we approach the end of the school year, police remind motorists that school buses are still picking up and delivering students to and from school.