LAWRENCE — The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has completed a review of the police investigation of the January 26 vehicle accident that occurred at Amy Beverland Elementary School. The school’s principal, Susan Jordan, was killed and two children were injured in the accident involving a school bus on the school’s campus. Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said his office determined that the evidence does not warrant criminal charges against school bus driver Christine Beeler.
“This tragic accident and the loss of Principal Susan Jordan has impacted many in our local community and in the education community nationwide,” Prosecutor Curry said. “Our sympathy goes to the family, friends, and extended network of students, parents and educators who knew Mrs. Jordan.”
Prosecutor Curry said the decision not to file criminal charges was based on several considerations after review of all evidence gathered from the crash investigation, including absence of impairment of the driver and video of the incident. The investigation found that no alcohol or controlled substances were detected in the blood sample taken from the driver.
Prosecutor Curry further stated that Indiana law is clear that, in the absence of impairment, mere negligence does not give rise to a crime. Prior to the accident, the driver disengaged the parking brake and moved the shifter into the Forward position. Unable to leave due to the location of another bus beside her, it appears that the driver tried to make contact with Principal Jordan when the driver stood up from her seat without moving the shifter into neutral or reengaging the parking brake. The bus began to move when she stood, and she was unable to stop the bus prior to the accident.
An inspection of the bus on the scene did not find any mechanical defects.