On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, a Warren Township school bus transporting 24 Creston Intermediate 5th graders was involved in a shocking wreck where the school bus flipped onto its side of I-465 on the east side of Indianapolis. This is a parent’s worst nightmare. It’s the phone call that no parent wants to receive. Yet it happened around 10 a.m. on I-465 near Washington Street.
Mystery Blue Van Located
The wreck was captured on video, which resulted in the police searching for an older blue Honda minivan that appears in the video. Although the van may have played a role in the accident, the driver did not stick around. They kept driving and left the scene. The police have now found that vehicle and are investigating its role in the collision.
The Video
The video of the bus crash has drawn national attention and has been shown on the national news. People who have watched the video react differently and their comments are interesting. Some watch the video and put all the blame on the driver of the mystery blue van. Others find fault in the driving of the bus operator. Lastly, some find fault in both drivers. Different opinions—same video.
Board-Certified Truck Accident Attorney’s Perspective
I see the video in a different light than others who have commented on the video. Rather than drawing conclusions, I have questions. The only conclusion that can be made is that the students as passengers on that school bus did nothing wrong that caused or contributed to this wreck. Was the bus driver at fault? Possibly. Was the driver of the blue minivan at fault? That is also a possibility. In all likelihood, the wreck was caused by a variety of factors and is more than one driver’s fault. The victims—the passengers in the bus—deserve a complete and comprehensive investigation to help determine the role of each driver.
Investigation Necessary As Soon As Possible
The personal injury law firm Craig, Kelley & Faultless has already been hired to represent one of the students who was injured in the wreck. We immediately put our Rapid Response Team into action. We have already hired an accident reconstructionist and a mechanical expert to assist with the investigation. The bus and the state police pick up truck likely have data that needs to be downloaded and preserved. All the vehicles should be inspected for mechanical issues. There may be additional videos that can and should be preserved. There are witness statements that need to be taken while the facts are fresh in their minds.
Can You Rely on the Police Investigation?
The short answer to that question is NO. The police have a different objective than the lawyer representing a victim of the wreck. This case is complicated because it likely involves the Indiana Tort Claim Act, shorter deadlines, three different and possibly separate parties, and uninsured/underinsured insurance coverages. Because of this, a victim should have their own lawyers who work to protect them.
To Do List Following a School Bus Wreck
- Check to see if the school bus is a government-owned vehicle or if the school district hires an independent transportation company that owns and operates the bus. This is important because different notice requirements are mandated for government buses, and there are different laws that apply. Lastly, there is a possible damage cap on a government bus and that is less likely if the bus is owned and operated by a private company, such as First Student.
- Hire a qualified school bus wreck attorney. Picking the wrong attorney can be detrimental to your child’s financial recovery. You want to hire an experienced trial attorney who has the knowledge, experience, and resources to fight for your child. Need help determining how to pick the right attorney? Check out the book It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney.
- Hire your attorney quickly so they can get their investigation started, evidence preservation letters sent, and evidence preserved and inspected. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, we have a Rapid Response Team that we immediately activate when we are hired.
- Do not assume the police investigation will protect your family. The police have a different agenda than your personal injury attorney. You need somebody advocating for your child and your case. Your attorney may work with the police, but their job is to look at the wreck from the perspective of the client.
- Seek treatment. If your child is injured, it is important to get them checked out by a medical/healthcare professional. Don’t assume that just because your child was released from the hospital that they are okay or will be okay. If your child is continuing to have problems after they are released, then it is important to get them to their doctor as soon as possible.
- Keep a journal of how the wreck and injuries have impacted you or your child’s life. Keep receipts of any expenses you have incurred as a result of the accident. Photograph or video tape your child’s injuries so that the personal impact is documented.
Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
David W. Craig is a nationally recognized truck accident attorney. He is also the managing partner and one of the founders of Craig, Kelley & Faultless, a personal injury law firm headquartered in Indianapolis. Craig, Kelley & Faultless can be contacted at (888) 253-5198, and additional information can be found on the firm’s website or on Facebook and LinkedIn.
He is board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.
Injured After a Truck Wreck? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help
Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both attorneys David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the NBTA, accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team that works with investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired. Additionally, two of the firm’s litigation paralegals are board-certified in truck accident law by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.
Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.
Reach out for a free case consultation today at (888) 253-5198 or online.
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