Elderly driver killed in two vehicle crash

VERMILLION CO., Ind. (WTHI) - This morning at 10:39, Indiana State Police troopers and Vermillion County emergency agencies responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Road 163 that involved a pickup truck, multi-purpose school bus from the South Vermillion School Corporation and ultimately led to the death of an elderly Clinton woman. The impact area was approximately 1500 feet west of SR 63.

Deceased: Elizabeth Alexander, age 83, of Clinton, IN. Seatbelt not in use, she had a medical exemption from belt use. Family notified of death.

Preliminary investigation revealed a black 1991 Chevrolet S 10 pickup driven by Ms. Alexander, was stopped westbound on SR 163 waiting for eastbound traffic to clear so she could make a left turn into a local business. A westbound white 2002 multi-purpose school bus (15 passenger model) driven by Jennifer Short, age 29, of Clinton, IN., failed to stop and struck the S10 pickup in the rear. Alexander was transported to Union Hospital of Clinton where she later succumbed to her internal injuries. Ms. Short was taken to Union Hospital of Clinton by South Vermillion School Corporation staff for complaint of pain. There were no kids on the bus and no other passengers in the Alexander vehicle.

Jennifer Short was cited for Speed too Fast to Avoid a Collision and released. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in this crash. Short was wearing her seatbelt.

The bus was taken to South Vermillion School Corporation and secured until Monday, where it will undergo a full inspection by ISP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer Master Trooper Chuck Tharp.

The crash was investigated by ISP Trooper Ty Lightle. Assisting were ISP troopers Jeremy Lewis and Michael Featherling, along with Vermillion County Sheriff Bob Spence, Vermillion County EMS, and the Clinton Township Fire Department.