BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY — A student was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing the street to get on a school bus in Bartholomew County Monday morning.
According to the sheriff's office, the crash happened in the 1900 block of South Gladstone Avenue just before 7 a.m. Witnesses say the Columbus East High School student was attempting to get on the bus when they were struck by a vehicle.
Investigators say the bus was stopped with the stop arm extended when a 25-year-old man driving a car disregarded the stop arms and struck the student.
The student was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where they died from their injuries.
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation identified the student as Lily Streeval, a junior at Columbus East High School.
The driver of the car involved fled the scene and was followed by a witness who saw the crash, according to info shared by the sheriff's office. The suspect was located a short time later after their vehicle became stuck in a yard.on County Road 250 East and taken into custody.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office has identified that suspect as Shiam Sunder Shankara Subramani, 25, of Columbus.
Subramani was taken to the hospital for a blood draw and has been preliminarily charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death and reckless driving/passing a stopped school bus with arms extended causing death.
“We are working closely with Bartholomew County School Corporation officials in regards to this investigation,” said Major Chris Lane. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. A tragic event like this affects many people and we are thinking of everyone involved.”
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Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation released the following statement:
"It is with extreme sadness that we grieve the loss of Lily Streeval, a junior at Columbus East High School. Lily was fatally struck this morning, Monday, August 30, 2021 by a hit and run driver while attempting to board her school bus.
As was reported by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Lily was attempting to get on a stopped school bus when she was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and was followed by a witness who observed the crash. The suspect was located a short time later on County Road 250 East where he was taken into custody.
Lily was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead as a result of her injuries. Due to the ongoing investigation into the hit and run crash, we continue working with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office to assist in every way possible.
Secondary school-aged students were on Lily’s bus this morning and are being provided with support. Additionally, ongoing support is being provided to all students and staff members at Columbus East, as well as any other students and staff within our corporation who have been affected by this tragedy. At East, an announcement was made to students and staff members during the day and a moment of silence was held. Counselors will be in each of Lily’s classes to meet with her classmates."
Dr. Roberts stated, “As a school corporation, we experienced a devastating loss this morning. Our hearts go out to Lily’s family, friends, classmates and teachers who loved and supported her. She was full of life and enjoyed attending Columbus East High School. Auto Tech had emerged as her favorite class and she was thinking about a career in this area. We will miss her greatly.”
