Lucerne Man Dies in Crash With Logansport School Bus

GALVESTON, IN -  This morning, at approximately 7:26 a.m., officers from the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, the Galveston Police Department, and the Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on U.S. 35 south of Cass County Road 1100 South, which killed a Lucerne, IN, man. 

Preliminary investigation by Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Neher revealed that Michael R. Hobbs, 43, Lucerne, IN, was driving a 1991 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck northbound on U.S. 35. For an unknown reason, the Chevrolet crossed the centerline and hit a southbound 2009 International school bus, driven by Laura Forgey, 38, Logansport, IN, in the left front.  

Hobbs was transported by ambulance to Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Kokomo. He died from injuries sustained in the crash. Forgey and Coach Gina Curl, 39, Logansport, IN, were transported by school administrators to Logansport Memorial Hospital with a complaint of lower back pain. They were treated and released.  

There were 44 students and four adults on the bus. They were all members, chaperones, and coaches of the Logansport School Corporation Berriettes dance team. Eight students were transported by ambulance to Logansport Memorial Hospital with complaints of lower back and neck pain. They were all treated released. An additional 10 students and chaperone Karen Rigle, 42, Logansport, IN, were transported by family members to Logansport Memorial Hospital. They had complaints of neck and lower back pain. They have since been treated and released.  

The bus was en route to Westfield, IN, for a dance competition. The students were in sixth grade through seniors in high school. They ranged in ages from 11 through 18. After the crash, all uninjured parties were off loaded to another bus and transported back to Logansport High School.  

Neither alcohol nor illegal drug use is believed to be a contributing factor in this crash. As a matter of routine for all crashes involving a fatality or serious bodily, a blood draw has been taken from both drivers. Results are pending. 

Deputy Neher was assisted at the crash scene by the Galveston Fire Department and Cass County EMS.