PUBLIC SAFETY

Amy Beverland school bus driver not charged in principal's death

Justin L. Mack
justin.mack@Indystar.com
Susan Jordan, the principal at Amy Beverland Elementary School, was fatally struck by a school bus on Jan. 26, 2016. The driver told police Jordan pushed students out of the way before she was struck.

The school bus driver who police said failed to engage her parking brake before the bus rolled forward and killed an elementary school principal last month will not face criminal charges.

Officials from the Marion County prosecutor's office announced Thursday that a review of the Jan. 26 incident determined that bus driver Christine Beeler was not impaired when she got out of her seat without engaging the parking brake that afternoon.

A crash report said the bus rolled forward after Beeler stood, injuring two 10-year-old students and killing Susan Jordan, principal of Amy Beverland Elementary School in Lawrence.

Prosecutor Terry Curry said the decision not to file criminal charges was based on several factors, including absence of impairment of the driver and video of the incident. Officials said no alcohol or controlled substances were detected in the blood sample taken from Beeler.

According to Curry, Indiana law is clear that without impairment, mere negligence does not give rise to a crime.

“This tragic accident and the loss of Principal Susan Jordan has impacted many in our local community and in the education community nationwide,” Curry said in a statement. “Our sympathy goes to the family, friends and extended network of students, parents and educators who knew Mrs. Jordan.”

Before the incident, Curry said, Beeler 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 re-engaging the parking brake," said a statement from the prosecutor's office. "The bus began to move when she stood, and she was unable to stop the bus prior to the accident."

Report: Amy Beverland bus driver got out of driver's seat without engaging parking brake

An inspection of the bus did not find any mechanical defects.

A statement from Lawrence Township Schools said school officials are grateful for the outpouring of support and concern for everyone affected by the tragedy.

"These have been challenging days," Superintendent Shawn Smith said in the statement. "While challenges remain, we hope this represents another step toward healing for our school and our community."

Beeler was called a "model employee" by her employers, who said she has no disciplinary history. School officials said Thursday they would not comment on the driver's employment status because they are not at liberty to discuss personnel issues.

IndyStar reporter Michael Anthony Adams contributed to this story. Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.

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