A van filled with Ball State students was involved in aone-on-one crash in Tipton County that left a 56-year-old womandead last week, sheriff's officials said.
Mary Ann Boughton of Tipton was pronounced dead at the scene onSept. 8 after her 1972 Volkswagen Beetle was broadsided by the BallState van, according to the Tipton County Sheriff's office.
The eight students were heading toward Chicago for anarchitecture related field trip sponsored by the university.
Joshua Vermillion, 25, was driving the van on State Road 28, atwo lane road, when he attempted to pass a semi-truck, sheriff'sofficials said. The speed limit on the road is 55 mph.
According to the sheriff's office, Vermillion did not seeBoughton as she attempted to make a left turn.
An Indianapolis Lifeline Helicopter was called after Boughton'svehicle spun off the road into the yard of Trinity WesleyanChurch.
Sabreena Shrestha, 24, was the only student admitted into theTipton Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released forcontusion and sprain of her left knee, according to the sheriff'soffice.
In order to take a university van, the driver has to be at least21 years of age, Glen Augustine, University Communications, said.Once the paper work is signed, the driver is protected under theuniversity's insurance policy.
Once the department of architecture was notified, a facultymember was sent to the scene to bring the students back to Muncie.Ball State's counseling services were offered to the students.
It is standard routine for Ball State to provide crisiscounselors to deal with these kind of issues, Randy Hyman, dean ofstudents, said.
"Our goal is to be as responsive as possible to their needs aswe can be," Hyman said. "We provided instant response and are readyto be as supportive as we can."
The Tipton County Sheriff's office is still investigating and nocharges have been filed in the case.
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