SchoolBus logo in red and orange
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Motorist Who Spilled Drink Sideswipes School Bus, Causes Rollover

An Indiana motorist loses control of her car after spilling a drink on herself and sideswipes a bus taking a high school basketball team to a game. The bus rolls over and passengers suffer minor injuries.

March 22, 2016
2 min to read


GRIFFITH, Ind. — A motorist who spilled a drink on herself sideswiped a school bus that was transporting high school basketball team members to a game, causing the bus to roll over and the passengers aboard to suffer minor injuries.

The accident occurred at around noon on Saturday, when motorist Dominique Small lost the lid on her drink and spilled it on herself while driving southbound in the left lane, Courier-Journal reports. A news release from the Indiana State Police stated that Small tried to grab the drink, lost control of her vehicle and sideswiped the bus, which was traveling in the right lane, causing it to drive off the road and roll over, according to the news source. There was no mention of charges in the crash, according to Courier-Journal.

The bus was bringing 21 members of the Griffith High School boys basketball team and six staff members to a semistate game in Lafayette at the time of the crash, according to the news source. A motorist who came upon the crash scene told The Northwest Times that when he arrived, the bus was upside down and people were still trapped inside, and that one of the men aboard the bus had to be extracted by an emergency crew. He added that the other passengers were able to evacuate the bus on their own or with assistance. Police said that everyone aboard the bus was taken to the hospital, but no one had life-threatening injuries.

Students were able to return to class on Monday and the game was rescheduled for Wednesday, according to a Griffith Public Schools press release.

“After seeing and talking to the members of the boys basketball team yesterday and today, I am more convinced than ever that they are mentally and physically ready to play,” Superintendent Peter Morikis said in the release on Monday.

He added that the team, coaches, principals, and administrative staff have been “moved by the outpouring of support from the Griffith community.”

More Safety

Fatal School Bus Accident in New York graphic dated Jan. 29, 2026, showing a close-up of a yellow school bus with cracked-glass overlay and School Bus Fleet logo.
Safetyby StaffFebruary 3, 2026

New York 5-Year-Old Killed by School Bus, Investigation Ongoing

A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.

Read More →
A red, orange and yellow graphic with anti-pinch door sensor products and text reading "Maine's New Mandate: Anti-Pinch-Sensors & Bus Safety."
Safetyby Elora HaynesJanuary 29, 2026

Prevent School Bus Dragging Incidents: Anti-Pinch Door Sensors and Maine’s New Mandate

As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 29, 2026

8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations

What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
an illustration of a survey on a mobile phone with a hand on it, and the words Survey Says on it
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 28, 2026

Survey: Most Parents Want Automated Enforcement on School Buses

A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.

Read More →
Image of an extended stop-arm with text reading "School Bus Safety: Funding Provides Bus Upgrades Across Ohio."
Safetyby StaffJanuary 27, 2026

State Grant Program Advances School Bus Safety Upgrades Across Ohio

$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.

Read More →
A white Waymo vehicle waits at a crosswalk as a family crosses.
Safetyby StaffJanuary 26, 2026

Waymo Scrutiny Intensifies as NTSB Launches Investigation

After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Transportant stop arm camera shown on an orange “new product” graphic with School Bus Fleet branding.
SafetyJanuary 20, 2026

Transportant Debuts First Full-Color Stop Arm Camera for School Buses

Transportant introduced a next-generation stop arm camera designed to improve image quality and reliability for documenting illegal school bus passings.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.

Read More →
An image of a student with a backpack walking with text reading "Walking School Bus: Grant Fuels Safer Pedestrian Routes to School in New Mexico."
Safetyby Elora HaynesJanuary 15, 2026

New Mexico District Receives $2.7M Grant to Expand Walking School Bus Programs

See how a federal grant will help Albuquerque Public Schools expand supervised walking routes and improve student safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration showing a school bus with a standard stop arm and a deployed retractable safety barrier extending across the roadway to block passing vehicles.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 13, 2026

Florida Inventor Creates Retractable 10-Foot Stop-Arm

A newly developed school bus safety device introduces a retractable barrier designed to deter illegal passing during student loading and unloading.

Read More →