WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — A woman walking across Indiana 43 died about 1:30 p.m. Monday after she was struck by a northbound school bus just south of Tippecanoe County Road 600 North, according to police and witnesses.
There were no students on board the Tippecanoe School Corp. bus when the accident happened, Indiana State Police Sgt. Jeremy Piers said.
The school bus was in the left northbound lane of the four-lane highway, Piers said.
The woman appeared to be part of a group who were riding in two touring buses, said Jessica Armes, a witness who works at a business on the west side of the highway.
“I was running the register for the bus that came in because we got one of the two buses,” Armes said, explaining it appeared the woman was returning to her touring bus on the east side of the highway.
“I watched as the lady attempted to walk across the street and then I had to help the customer,” Armes said. “The next thing I know I heard a big thud.”
The woman was already struck when Armes spun around to see what the noise was.
The accident was just south of the Indiana State Police post, so officers were quickly on scene. Indiana State Police are handling the investigation.
Sue Scott, the communication director for the Tippecanoe School Corp., confirmed an accident occurred involving a a school bus and a pedestrian.
“There were no students on board at the time. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate,” Scott said.
“The driver, Lou Cadwallader, has been a school bus driver for 27 years, including seven with Tippecanoe School Corp. As standard procedure, she has been removed from service pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Tippecanoe County Chief Deputy Coroner Caroline Hanau said an autopsy will be scheduled for later this week.
Traffic on Indiana 43 between Interstate 65 and Tippecanoe County Road 600 North was closed to allow for the investigation.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Pedestrian killed in collision with Tippecanoe school bus, state police investigating
Reporting by Ron Wilkins, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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