Construction worker killed in Howard County car - bus collision

Officers from the Howard County Sheriff's Office responded to an injury-involved crash on State Road 22 near County Road 400 East in which a Logansport man died.

The preliminary crash investigation revealed that Tara D. Lopez, 35, of Kokomo, was driving a yellow 2018 Bluebird school bus traveling northbound on County Road 400 East, approaching State Road 22. A construction worker, identified as Aaron M. Esparza, 31, from Logansport, was directing traffic in the construction zone at the intersection of State Road 22 and County Road 400 East. The school bus traveled across State Road 22 directly behind another passenger vehicle. A 2008 Dodge Ram driven by Rolland Brent Mcquiston, 72, of Windfall, was traveling eastbound on State Road 22 approaching County Road 400 East. For an undetermined reason the Dodge struck the school bus on the driver’s side, causing the bus to strike Esparza.

Esparza was pronounced deceased at the crash scene by the Howard County Coroner’s Office. Lopez and  Mcquiston were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

There were no reported injuries to the eight children who were on the bus during the incident.

This is an ongoing investigation. At this time, neither the consumption of alcoholic beverages nor narcotics are suspected of contributing to this crash. 

Master Trooper Perez was assisted by other members of the Indiana State Police, the Howard County Sheriff's Office, Indiana Fire Marshall, Taylor Township Volunteer Fire Department, Howard County EMA, Community Howard EMS, and Howard County Coroner’s Office.