MOORESVILLE, Ind. — Police arrested an alleged drunk driver after he hit a Mooresville High School student with his car as she was about to board her school bus at 6:55 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said the driver, 35-year-old Michael Simpson, stayed at the scene on Indiana Street just south of County Line Road. He was taken to a hospital for a blood draw before being arrested for operating while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, Simpson took a breathalyzer test at the scene and blew a 0.125.
The 15-year-old girl is recovering at Riley Hospital. Police did not release the extent of her injuries. A neighbor, who said she woke up the girl's father after the crash, said the girl was complaining about pain in her leg and wrist. The neighbor said the girl was thrown onto the hood of the car and left a dent.
Mooresville Police returned to the crash scene late Tuesday morning to take measurements, just a few hours after the teen was hit crossing the street to board her school bus.
"She was conscious but wasn't really able to give us any information or tell us what happened,” said Mooresville Police Lt. Kevin Julian.
But police can see what happened in front of the Colonial Apartments where the girl lives, thanks to video cameras on the bus. Police said they are not releasing the bus video due to its graphic content.
"The driver of the white vehicle came southbound,” Julian said. “The bus had put the caution lights on in preparation to pick up the juvenile. The juvenile then walked out into the intersection prior to the stop arm coming out. The driver then struck the juvenile, and he stopped and then checked on her, and then, EMS and we were called."
The car had just passed a stop sign at County Line Road about 50 yards from the crash scene and only about a mile from Mooresville High School on Indiana Street.
The teen was the only person at the bus stop. Only one other student was on the bus, and the bus was not involved in the crash.
Mooresville High School alerted parents that students who ride that bus would be picked up about a half-hour late.
Simpson faces the following charges:
- Causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle while intoxicated
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, endangering a person
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
- Possession of paraphernalia
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