Police identify man killed in crash on N. Main Street in Mishawaka

 

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- A 28-year-old man from Mishawaka was killed in a crash with a school bus Monday morning on Main Street in front of John Young Middle School.

The crash happened just before 10 a.m.

Investigators say 28-year-old Derek Morris was driving his car southbound on N. Main Street when it drifted into oncoming traffic.

The car collided with a School City of Mishawaka school bus with two students on board. The driver of the bus and one of the students were taken to the hospital.

"The collision, it was very loud," said Melody Terkos, who lives about a block away from the crash. 

She said the crash could be heard from her home, but the scene was something she never hoped to see. 

"You come out and see this and you just feel like something is going on in the pit of your stomach," she said. 

The bus driver said he saw the car crossing into the center lane, but thought it was planning to make a left turn. When he realized the car was coming into his lane, he didn't have time to react. 

"A southbound car and a northbound car both going 30, that's a 60 mile an hour crash," said Tim Spencer with Mishawaka Police. 

The crash closed down Main Street from Omer to Jefferson. 

"You're looking at the car and you know some families are going to be devistated by this," said Terkos.

The 28-year-old driving the car was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Fatal Alcohol Crash Team is handling the investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.