A serious collision occurred Monday afternoon when a farming semi-truck failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into a school bus east of Summitville in Madison County, Indiana. According to the Madison County Sheriff's Department, the incident took place at approximately 2:30 PM when a 19-year-old driver operating a farming semi failed to obey a stop sign and collided with a school bus driven by a 35-year-old. Fortunately, no children were onboard the school bus at the time of the accident, preventing what could have been a much more tragic outcome. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, and both drivers were initially transported to a hospital in Anderson for medical treatment. Due to the severity of injuries sustained, the 19-year-old semi driver was later airlifted to a hospital in Indianapolis for more specialized care. Officials report that the semi driver was in stable condition at the time of the last update, while information about the bus driver's current medical status has not been disclosed.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision occurred east of Summitville, a small town in Van Buren Township, Madison County, Indiana. This rural area is characterized by country roads that intersect agricultural lands and serve as essential transportation routes for both local farming operations and school transportation. The presence of a stop sign at the intersection indicates a traffic control measure designed to prevent such collisions, but visibility may be affected by surrounding farmland and crops depending on the season. This region features numerous similar intersections where county roads meet, often with limited traffic control devices beyond stop signs. Madison County's agricultural character means farm equipment and vehicles regularly share roadways with passenger vehicles and school buses, particularly during planting and harvest seasons, creating unique traffic safety challenges.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, failure to stop at a stop sign constitutes a traffic violation under IC 9-21-8-32, which may factor into liability determinations in this case. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system (IC 34-51-2), meaning compensation may be reduced proportionately to a party's degree of fault, with recovery barred if a party is more than 51% at fault. Victims of such accidents typically have two years from the date of the accident to file personal injury claims under Indiana's statute of limitations (IC 34-11-2-4). Potential damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. The commercial nature of the farming semi may implicate additional regulations and insurance requirements beyond those of ordinary passenger vehicles. Both drivers may be entitled to compensation through their own insurance policies, the other party's insurance, or potentially their employers' coverage depending on their employment status at the time of the accident.

Related Resources

• Madison County Sheriff's Department: (765) 646-9290
• Madison County Emergency Management: (765) 646-9283
• Community Hospital Anderson: (765) 298-4242
• Indiana State Police Pendleton Post: (765) 778-2121
• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) East Central District: (855) 463-6848
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: (888) 692-6841
• Indiana Victims Compensation Program: (800) 353-1484
• Indiana State Department of Health Trauma and Injury Prevention: (317) 233-7164
• Indiana Legal Services: (844) 243-8570
• Indiana Code Traffic Laws: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2023/ic/titles/9(link is external)