A charter bus traveling to Chicago crashed into a semitrailer Thursday in northwest Indiana after a passenger allegedly grabbed the bus’s steering wheel.
Pedro Rodriquez, of Chicago, is charged with felony counts of aggravated battery and criminal recklessness with a motor vehicle and a misdemeanor count of mischief, according to Indiana State Police.
Rodriquez, 36, allegedly made his way to the front of the bus about 6:30 p.m. and seized the wheel from the female driver in an apparent attempt to gain control of the bus, state police said.
The bus, traveling westbound on Interstate 94 just east of Chesterton, collided with a semitrailer in another lane, causing both vehicles to run off the roadway and stop on the outside shoulder, state police said.
Four people, including Rodriquez, reported back pain after the crash, state police said. Only Rodriguez was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The bus was traveling from Benton Harbor, Michigan to Chicago, state police said. There were 51 passengers on board during the crash.
