Police release name of CATA bus driver killed in crash with semi on I-96

ALAIEDON TWP. — A operator who died successful an April 30 clang connected Interstate 96 successful eastbound Ingham County has been identified arsenic Tondi Tripp, 62, of Okemos.

Tripp was driving a "shuttle-sized" autobus operated by the Capital Area Transportation Authority erstwhile it collided with the rear of a semi-truck astir 4:15 p.m. successful the westbound lanes adjacent mile marker 113, betwixt the Okemos and Williamston exits.

Meridian Township firefighters arrived to find the rear of the semi and the autobus engulfed successful flames, the Ingham County Sheriff's Office said. They "determined comparatively rapidly that the autobus was occupied lone by the driver, who was deceased."

CATA spokesperson Lolo Robison confirmed aft the clang that the autobus was operated by CATA, which successful 2018 contracted with Transdev, an planetary nationalist transit services company, to assistance with transporting immoderate passengers. CATA runs agrarian autobus services successful agrarian Ingham County arsenic good arsenic nationalist bussing crossed the Lansing area.

"CATA and Transdev are profoundly saddened by the tragic nonaccomplishment of beingness of 1 of our drivers, which impacts america astatine each level," Robison said. CATA was cooperating afloat with instrumentality enforcement during the investigation, she said.

The operator of the semi was not injured. Sheriff's officials said the probe remained open. Anyone with accusation was asked to call Sgt. Adam Jackson astatine (517) 676-8211.

Sheriff's officials said postulation was slowed due to the fact that of an earlier clang involving a semi adjacent the 109 mile marker. There were nary injuries successful that crash.

Contact Ken Palmer at [email protected]. Follow him connected X @KBPalm_lsj.

This nonfiction primitively appeared connected Lansing State Journal: Police merchandise sanction of CATA autobus operator killed successful I-96 crash