Henryville, IN — Twenty-one people were hospitalized after a charter bus rolled over in a single-vehicle accident in Henryville, Indiana, on Thursday, March 12, 2015. The accident took place on Interstate 65, near mile marker 22, around 10:30 in the morning.
According to local officials, the bus was headed south when it unexpectedly drove off the side of the side of the road, then back on and off the opposite side of the road before driving down an embankment and overturning.
In all, 21 people had to be taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The hospitals the victims were taken to were listed as Scott Memorial Hospital, Clark County Hospital, and University of Louisville Hospital. Sixteen of those involved were members of the Indiana Tech coed bowling team.
The bus driver was identified as Rex Altenburg. Jeannine Secrist and Indiana Tech student Michaelia Kemp were among those hospitalized. The names of the other victims involved in the accident were listed as Larry Secrist and Amy Kimberger, who serve as coaches to the Indiana Tech bowling team. Quinisha Burnett, Mitchell McGee, Tyler Krepp, Brandon Dejonge, Joshua Stier, Brooke Copenhauer, Emalee Wiser, Torrion Parker, Alexandra Rittenhouse, Bryce Leming, Kyle Koss, Alyssa Prickett, Samantha Pasch, Gregory Kimberger, Jenna Shaffer, and Quinton M. Burnett.
The cause for the accident is unknown at this time. Excursion Trailways, who owns and operates the bus, says that the driver has lots of experience and a good track record.
The accident is still being investigated.
Scene of the Accident
View from the Road
Commentary
Bus drivers are held to an incredibly high standard for two reasons. One, the vehicles they drive are very big, and are capable of causing a lot of damage in an accident. Two, they carry a lot of people, and so are capable of causing a great amount of hurt with just a single mistake. Now, let’s be honest. The driver of this vehicle was responsible for their passengers. All drivers have a legal duty to the passengers while traveling out on the road with each other. And barring some discovery that shows that something was wrong with the bus itself, the driver, and by extension the company they work for are most likely going to be held responsible for the passengers’ injuries. At the very least, the driver is going to have some hard questions to answer, because a lot of people here got hurt, and they’re going to want to know why.
— Grossman Law Offices
