***UPDATE*** 19 Injured in Early Morning Bus Crash on I-65
Johnson County - The ISP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division has completed their inspection of the Megabus involved in last week's crash on I-65. After a thorough physical inspection of the bus it was determined there were no mechanical issues that contributed to the crash. All damage noted on the report was post crash damage. The driver, Kimberly Lane, was issued a citation for Speed too Fast for Conditions.
Indiana Code 9-21-5-1 states A person may not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions, having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. Speed shall be restricted as necessary to avoid colliding with a person, vehicle, or other conveyance on, near, or entering a highway in compliance with legal requirements and with the duty of all persons to use due care.
The inspecting troopers also found the Megabus was operating under the incorrect USDOT authority or USDOT number. The Megasbus Corporation willingly provided the maintenance logs for this bus as well as the "black box" data.
--Media-- Questions pertaining to the inspection report should be directed to ISP CVED at 317-615-7373
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Perrine
-Original Message-
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Johnson County, IN – On Monday April 13th, at approximately 5:30 a.m., the Indiana State Police (ISP) responded to a personal injury crash toward the south end of a construction zone on I-65 southbound at the 83.5 mile marker. Preliminary investigation has determined south bound traffic had slowed as construction vehicles were moving from the right lane over to the median between the south and north bound lanes of I-65. A trooper in a marked ISP vehicle, with all emergency lights activated, was assisting with the movement of the construction vehicles. While traffic continued moving past the construction vehicles, traffic farther back had come to a stop. At this time a Mega Bus, driven by Kimberly Lane, 50, of Dolten, Illinois was traveling southbound in the left lane of I-65, approaching the stopped traffic. For unknown reasons, Dolten failed to stop before the front of the bus collided with the rear of a semi-tractor trailer stopped in the left lane. The semi truck was operated by Stephen Dykes II, 42, of Winchester California. The impact of the Mega Bus, pushed the semi truck into an orange 2003 Chevrolet SUV driven by 35 year old Michael Diliberto, of Indianapolis. The Chevrolet was then pushed into a gold 1999 Nissan driven by 44 year old Jorge Hernandez, also of Indianapolis.
There was a substantial amount of damage to the front of the Megabus as well as the semi-trailier. All vehicles required tow trucks to be removed from the scene. The left lane of I-65 was closed for approximately 3 hours over the course of the investigation and removal of involved vehicles.
There were 63 passengers on board the Mega Bus. Of these, 19 were transported to the below hospitals. None of the injuries were reported to be life threatening.
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9 to Johnson Memorial Hospital
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4 to Columbus Regional Hospital
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3 to St. Francis
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2 to Major Hospital
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1 to Methodist
The City of Indianapolis provided two IndyGo busses to transport the uninjured passengers off the interstate to a safe location.
The driver of the Mega Bus submitted to a portable breath test. The results of this test were negative, eliminating the concern of alcohol being a contributing factor to the crash.
The Mega Bus will undergo a thorough inspection later this week to determine if any mechanical problems may have been contributing factors to this crash.
The investigation is continuing. Investigations of this nature can take several weeks to complete. No further information is available related to this ongoing investigation.
Investigating and assisting agencies included:
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Investigating officer – Corporal Tim James, ISP
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Assisting officers
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Master Trooper Kelly Lazzell
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Trooper Thomas Burgett, ISP Motor Carrier Inspector
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Trooper Jacob Wildauer
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Sgt. Don Gregory
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Assisting Agencies
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Johnson County Sheriff’s Department
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Franklin Fire Department
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