School Bus Driver in Jennings County Cited for Speeding in Bus

The driver could face more consequences

On Wednesday February 26, 2024 at 11:06 a.m. Jennings County Sheriff's SRO/ Deputy Shawn Minton was traveling north on State Road 3 in Lovett Township when his forward radar picked up a Jennings County School Corporation bus traveling at 71 mph in the south bound lane, the deputy then switched to his rear facing radar as the bus passed the deputy the rear radar showed the bus still traveling the same speed.

The deputy contacted the Jennings County School Corporation transportation supervisor to get the bus and bus drivers information. Once the deputy reviewed video from the bus the deputy made the decision to speak to the Jennings County prosecutor's office.

Through the deputy's investigation he was able to determine the driver has had other issues and incidents documented on camera and monitored speed control devices in the bus; speeding with children on the bus that he has driven.

Just a reminder that school is in session and school buses must obey the speed limits as well as all other vehicles on the road. The penalty of speeding in a school bus is a class C misdemeanor punishable by 60 days in jail and $500.00 fine.

Jennings County Sheriff Deputy's take great pride in making sure the children of Jennings County are protected in or out of school. Make sure to always remember if you see something, say something.

Below is the school bus statue.

Jennings County School Corporation response: The school corporation acted swiftly to respond to the situation to address student safety concerns once contacted by the Sheriff's Office. Parents of involved students in the situation were contacted and actions were taken to ensure student safety.

IC 9-21-5-14 Maximum speed of school buses and special purpose buses; violation Sec. 14. (a) A person may not operate a school bus or a special purpose bus at a speed greater than: (1) sixty (60) miles per hour on a federal or state highway; or (2) forty (40) miles per hour on a county or township highway. Indiana Code 2021 (b) If the posted speed limit is lower than the absolute limits set in this section or if the absolute limits do not apply, the maximum lawful speed of a bus is the posted speed limit. (c) A person who knowingly or intentionally exceeds a speed limit set forth in subsection (a) or (b) commits a Class C misdemeanor.