SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Motorist in Fatal Crash Reportedly Says She Didn’t See School Bus

The Indiana driver who allegedly passed a school bus and hit and killed three students tells investigators that she didn’t see the bus or the students until it was too late.

Nicole Schlosser
Nicole SchlosserFormer Executive Editor
November 2, 2018
Motorist in Fatal Crash Reportedly Says She Didn’t See School Bus

The Indiana driver who allegedly passed a school bus and hit and killed three students told investigators that she didn’t see the bus (shown here) or the students until it was too late. Photo courtesy Indiana State Police

3 min to read


The Indiana driver who allegedly passed a school bus and hit and killed three students told investigators that she didn’t see the bus (shown here) or the students until it was too late. Photo courtesy Indiana State Police

ROCHESTER, Ind. — The motorist who was allegedly involved in a fatal school bus passing incident on Tuesday reportedly told investigators that she didn’t see the bus or the students until it was too late to stop.

As SBF previously reported, Alyssa Shepherd is accused of illegally passing a school bus, killing three students and seriously injuring one other student. She was arrested on Tuesday and received three felony charges for reckless homicide and a misdemeanor count for passing a school bus with the stop arm extended, causing injury.

Michelle Jumper, a detective for the Indiana State Police, interviewed Shepherd; Robert Reid, school bus driver for Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.; and a witness, according to Indianapolis Star. (The court provided the newspaper on Thursday with audio recording of the probable cause hearing in Fulton County Court on Tuesday.) In that hearing, Jumper testified that Shepherd said she drove around a corner and saw "something [that was] big and had lights," Jumper said. “She did not recognize it in any way as a school bus."

Jumper also said that Shepherd had three children in the back seat of her car, had dropped off her husband at work at about 7:05 a.m., and was driving to her mother’s home in the Rochester area to drop off her brother when she drove around the bend in the road, according to the newspaper.

A witness told Jumper that she was driving a vehicle behind Shepherd’s through the bend on State Road 25, that she and Shepherd were traveling at 45 miles per hour, and that she slowed down when she saw the school bus and its flashing lights, which she said were clearly visible, Jumper testified. Jumper also said that the witness told her that “the truck's headlights illuminated the children as they were crossing the road and she said she started to freak out as she realized 'I'm slowing down, but that truck in front of me is not slowing,'" Indianapolis Star reports.

Reid, the school bus driver, told Jumper that he stopped at the same place where he always picks up the students, and that he told investigators that he saw headlights coming from around the bend in the road, but they were far away and he had time to slow down, so he waved to the students to cross the road. He also said, Jumper testified, that he honked the horn when it was apparent that the truck wasn’t going to stop, according to the newspaper.

Meanwhile, Blaine Conley, superintendent for Tippecanoe Valley School Corp., posted a statement on the district’s Facebook page that said that the district relocated the bus stop where the incident occurred as of Thursday. He also said in the statement that he is establishing a transportation safety review committee to examine all of the district’s bus stop locations “to ensure our children are transported safely.”

More Safety

A blue and white graphic with text reading "2026 Safety & Operations Report" with an image of the cover of the report.
Safetyby StaffMay 4, 2026

Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes

The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026

Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredApril 20, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.

Read More →
A close-up view of the top of a yellow school bus with “School Bus” signage and red lights, overlaid with a cracked-glass effect. Text on the image reads, “Multi-Vehicle Crash in TN Takes 2 Lives” and “March 27, 2026,” with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 17, 2026

2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck

A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.

Read More →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of Wisconsin political figures by a table and text reading "Legislative Roundup April 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesApril 17, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: Driver Shortages, EV Debates & Safety Upgrades

From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A rendering of the 6th-generation Waymo Driver on Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 9, 2026

Senate Report: Autonomous Car Companies Hiding Reliance on Remote Operators

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.

Read More →
Children cross in front of a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended while a nearby vehicle waits, illustrating school zone safety and risks of illegal passing.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 9, 2026

Industry Suppliers Offer Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminders

Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.

Read More →
Graphic featuring a headshot of Michael Graham, Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, wearing a dark suit and red tie against an orange gradient background, with “Leadership Update” and School Bus Fleet branding on the left.
Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

NTSB Names Michael Graham Vice Chair: Where He Stands on School Bus Safety

A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic with bold yellow background and red headline reading “A Split Second from Disaster,” alongside a photo of a freight train traveling down railroad tracks. Subtext reads, “What one incident reminds us about railroad crossing safety,” with School Bus Fleet branding at the bottom.
Safetyby Amanda HuggettApril 7, 2026

'A Train Is Coming': Florida School Bus Close Call Highlights Critical Railroad Safety Reminders

Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.

Read More →