Bus inspection in question

Local News

April 8, 2008

Diane Raver

An incident April 4 involving loud pops, two school buses and two other vehicles is being investigated by the Indiana State Police.

The incident prompted correspondence to parents from officials at the Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corp. Business manager Kris Wilson indicated letters were sent home with each of the 60 students on the buses. He also stressed, “The safety of our students and staff is very important.”

Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corp. Bus 48, driven by Sandy McClure, was transporting East Central High School students to the Southeastern Career Center, Versailles. She was followed by Cheryl Lieland, who was driving Bus 60 with another group of teens.

About 11:30 a.m., “as the buses left Milan on State Road 350, a Dodge pickup pulled out in front of Bus 48. Then a Camaro pulled out behind Bus 48 and passed the bus very quickly,” according to Wilson.

McClure observed a flash and heard noises like something hit the bus. This happened twice, he added.

ISP Trooper Ben Bastin announced Lieland was able to get a partial license plate number from the Camaro, which helped identify the suspects. He is still trying to get in contact with those individuals.

The trooper noted the bus did not sustain any damage and no one was injured. After questioning some of the students, he revealed, “Four children on the bus heard the same thing” the bus driver did, but they did not see the flashes. “We don’t know if it was fireworks” or something else.

ECHS student Peter Thomas told his mother he and other students believed the sound was backfire from the Camaro, according to Theresa Thomas.

Bastin reported he was meeting with the bus drivers and the prosecutor April 7.

Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@bates villeheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com