ISP Investigating Four Vehicle Crash Involving a School Bus

One student taken to the hospital

Tuesday at approximately 2:40 pm, the Indiana State Police investigated a crash involving a school bus and three other vehicles in southern Bartholomew County that resulted in three injuries.

The investigation by Trooper Matt Holley, Indiana State Police, determined that a 2013 Dodge Dart being driven by Shanaya N. Brown, age 27, Columbus, Indiana was traveling southbound in the 11000 Block of South State Road 11 in Bartholomew County.  Brown’s vehicle was being followed by a 2014 GMC Terrain being driven by Jack A. Cooper, age 71, Seymour, Indiana.  Brown slowed due to vehicles slowing in front of her vehicle.  Cooper swerved into the northbound lane of State Road 11 to avoid Brown’s vehicle. 

Cooper’s vehicle collided nearly head on with a northbound 2004 Jeep Liberty being driven by Maria G. Hernandez-Zarate, age 56, Seymour, Indiana.  Cooper’s vehicle also collided with Brown’s vehicle after making contact with Hernandez-Zarate’s vehicle.

Hernandez-Zarate’s vehicle then struck a 2019 Thomas Built School Bus being driven by Daniel R. Ginger, age 68, Seymour, Indiana that was traveling southbound on State Road 11 following Cooper’s vehicle.  The Seymour Community School Corporation bus had approximately 33 students on the bus at the time of the crash. 

Jack Cooper and Maria Hernandez-Zarate were both transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.  A 17 year old female student, who was on the bus, was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

State Road 11 was closed for nearly two hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

The investigation is ongoing.