An early morning crash between a Union-North United School Corporation school bus, with twenty students on board, and an SUV sent five to the hospital with minor injuries.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Jon Price indicates that around 7:51 a.m., a 2005 Freightliner school bus driven by Laura Watts, 31 of Lakeville, was eastbound on Pierce Road (SR4). Watts stopped and picked up students at a bus stop in front of 20884 Pierce Road. As Watts accelerated the bus from the stop, it was struck from behind by a tan 2005 Ford Expedition driven by Lee Motz, 28 of Bourbon.
Four students were transported from the scene with complaints of pain; two nine-year-old boys, a five-year-old girl, and a fifteen-year-old girl. All were treated for minor injuries and released from Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth.
Motz was transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
Pierce Road remained closed between Michigan Road and Kenilworth until approximately 11:00 a.m. for the crash investigation and removal of the vehicles.
Alcohol or drugs is not suspected as a factor in this crash. This crash remains under investigation.
The Indiana State Police was assisted by the St. Joseph County Police Department, North Liberty Police Department, and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
Listeners and readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
