Man arrested for grabbing wheel of charter bus, steering it into semi

A bus passenger was arrested in northwestern Indiana yesterday for grabbing the steering wheel of a charter bus away from the driver and causing a crash with a semi truck.

The incident took place around 6:30 p.m on Thursday, August 22 on I-94 near Chesterton, Indiana, according to Indiana State Police.

Police say that an Indian Trails charter bus carrying 51 passengers was westbound on I-94 near mile marker 28 when one passenger, 36-year-old Pedro Garcia Rodriguez, approached the bus driver.

Rodriguez then reportedly “grabbed the wheel in an apparent attempt to gain control of the bus,” which caused the bus to swerve out of its lane and hit a semi truck. Both vehicles left the interstate as a result of the crash.

Rodriguez and three other bus passenger suffered non life-threatening injuries in the crash. The truck driver wasn’t hurt.

Rodriguez was later arrested and charged with aggravated battery, criminal recklessness with a motor vehicle, and criminal mischief.

Police say that the motive for Rodriguez’s actions is unclear.