School bus driver falls asleep at the wheel, causing accident that injured 8 students

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) bus driver has been fired after investigators determined she fell asleep at the wheel earlier this week, causing an accident that sent eight students to the hospital.

The driver has been identified as Bev Turner. She had been working for TSC for the past six years.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Hanback said a new driver has taken over Turner's route. The decision to terminate Turner came following an investigation into the accident.

The school bus accident happened just before 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning (February 28) on County Road 300 North near East Tipp Middle School. The school district said 37 students were on board bus #1201 at the time, eight were taken by ambulance to local hospitals.

Dr. Hanback said all injuries were minor and included cuts, sprains and scrapes.

According to the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office, investigators determined the bus went off the road and continued down a ditch until it crashed into a concrete structure head-on. The bus driver was also treated and released from a local hospital.

"Safe transportation to and from school is of paramount importance to TSC. The bus driver was terminated because her actions do not meet school board safety standards. We want parents to be aware that a new driver, who has been properly trained, will be covering that route," said Dr. Hanback.