One dead, 10 hospitalized after crash involving school bus in Owen County

UPDATE 2 | The Owen County Coroner's Office says Ronald Denton Jr., 61, of Indianapolis was the car's driver and died in the crash.

UPDATE | One person is dead, and 10 others, including nine children, were transported to the hospital following a crash involving a school bus in Owen County Thursday afternoon.

In a release sent by Indiana State Police, the incident happened around 4:00 p.m. when Indiana State Troopers and Owen County deputies responded to calls of a crash between a school bus and a car on State Road 67, just north of Gosport.

Preliminary investigation determined that the school bus, driven by Taresa L. Tharpe, 56, of Gosport, was traveling northbound on State Road 67 approaching Culross Road when Tharpe had to make evasive maneuvers to avoid a southbound passenger vehicle that was driving erratically and entered the northbound lane.

Tharpe attempted to steer the bus onto the shoulder when it was then struck head-on by the driver of the car who died from his injuries.

At the time of the crash, the school bus was occupied by 12 students and Tharpe. Nine of the students, and Tharpe, were taken to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

OWEN COUNTY — Indiana State Police tweeted at 5:15 Thursday afternoon that troopers with Owen County and the Owen County Sheriff's Department are on the scene of a serious crash involving a school bus.

The location of the crash is on State Road 67, just north of Gosport.

Spencer-Owen Community Schools says the bus was transporting middle and high school students and seven students were taken to the hospital. The bus driver was also taken to the hospital by family, according to the district.

"Superintendent Andy Cline commends the bus driver for their actions immediately following the accident during a time of crisis," the school said in a press release.

Counselors will be available at the middle and high school Friday to assist students.

Police are advising drivers to avoid the area.

This is a developing story. We will continue to update as details become available.