Jennings County: This afternoon a three vehicle crash involving a school bus fortunately resulted in no injuries.  According to Trooper David Owsley, at approximately 4:40 p.m. a line of vehicles, including two school buses from the Southwestern School Corporation in Hanover, were traveling northbound on S.R. 7 near County Road 900N when the lead vehicle abruptly applied the brakes and turned west onto CR 900N.  This action caused a chain reaction crash.  The first school bus was able to avoid striking the car making the turn.  As it suddenly slowed a 2006 Buick Rendezvous driven by 19 year old Tyler Branham of North Vernon was able to stop before striking the rear of the first school bus.  The second school bus driven by 43 year old Kenneth Garrett of Hanover was also able stop.  A 1993 Ford van driven by 54 year old Douglas Sims of Bloomington topped a hill and saw the slowed or stopped vehicles ahead but was unable to stop.  The Ford van struck the rear of the second school bus and pushed into the rear of the Buick.

All three drivers and the students on the bus were examined by EMS workers but no injuries were reported.  The driver who abruptly turned off S.R. 7 that caused the chain reaction crash left the scene and the only information Tpr. Owsley was able to obtain was the vehicle was a small black vehicle.  The buses were enroute to a school function in Indianapolis at the time of the crash.

Tpr. Owsley was assisted at the scene by Troopers Matt Holley and Brent Lykins.  Also assisting was Rescue 20 and Scipio Geneva Fire Department.  The crash remains under investigation.