No Charges for Truck Driver Involved in Fatal School Bus Crash
The Indiana driver faces no criminal charges in a collision with a school bus that killed a student. A grand jury says the driver's actions did not fit the legal definition of recklessness.
MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. — A truck driver involved in a collision with a school bus that killed a student will not face any criminal charges.
As previously reported, on Dec. 5, a bus taking students to see “Elf the Musical” in Warsaw had stopped at a railroad crossing when it was rear-ended by a truck that was towing a trailer, driven by 26-year-old Tylor Perry. The student who was killed was identified as Owen Abbott, 13, WSBT reports.
Matt Sarber, the deputy prosecutor for the Marshall County Prosecutor's Office, told WSBT that the grand jury overseeing the case decided that Perry’s actions did not fit the legal definition of recklessness and no charges would be filed against him.
SBF reported in January that in the crash report for the collision Perry told police that as he approached the railroad tracks, he pulled a sweatshirt and fleece jacket that he was wearing over his head and briefly took his eyes off the road. When he looked back at the road, he braked hard and tried to swerve left to avoid the bus, but wasn’t able to do so.
Sarber told WSBT that while the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office does not condone or accept Perry’s behavior, he did not consciously disregard potential harm and his actions did not go beyond acceptable standards of driving conduct. Sarber added that the community should continue discussing the issue and consider updating its standards for how school buses might come to a stop “on a lane like this, potentially tweaking the standard.”
More Safety

HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses
Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council
More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.
Read More →
What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation
The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.
Read More →
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →
2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash
A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.
Read More →
Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts
With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.
Read More →
School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction
What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.
Read More →
Geotab Expands Fleet Safety Tools With Video Coaching, Risk Insights
New safety and video capabilities aim to help fleet managers assess risk, support drivers, and take targeted action through video coaching, red-light violation detection, and more.
Read More →
