Man faces charges after Columbus teen killed in hit-and-run at bus stop
COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) — Lily Streeval, 16, a Columbus East High School student, was killed in a hit-and-run Monday, according to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office.
“School bus (drivers are) just trying to do their job, take our kids to school safely and return them home,” says Chris Lane, chief deputy at the sheriff’s office.
Police were called around 7 a.m. to the 1900 block of South Gladstone Avenue, which is just south of Columbus between South Marr Road and Clifty Creek. Witnesses said that Streeval, of Columbus, was attempting to get on a stopped school bus when she was struck by a car. Police say many of her friends and classmates were on the bus, watching the entire scene unfold.
“We know that today is tough, but sometimes the next day is tougher,” said Jim Roberts, superintendent of Bartholomew Consolidated Schools.
He says the district is offering counseling to students and gave them the option to go home.
“We try to address the needs and just get through this tough day.”
Streeval was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital, where she died. The Bartholomew County coroner determined the cause of death to be blunt-force trauma to the cervical spine and chest.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Shiam Sunder Shankara Subramanian, 25, of Columbus, fled the scene and was followed by a witness. Shankara Subramanian faces preliminary charges of leaving the scene of an accident causing death and passing a stopped school bus with arms extended causing death.
Roberts says while he didn’t know Streeval personally. The superintendent said she’s been described to him as an energetic, loving young woman. He says she was someone who loved going to school and being around her classmates.
“Her favorite class seemed to be auto tech, and she had such an interest and passion in that auto tech class that she was looking to pursue that as a career after graduation,” Roberts said. “She had a moped that she bought and was working on.”
The sheriff’s chief deputy emphasized the importance of paying attention on the road. He says many parents are now asking themselves one question. “When you have a child that’s a victim, you immediately go to thinking, what if that was your child?,” Lane said. “It does hit home. It home that much more.”
Police have not yet completed their investigation.
Statement
“It is with extreme sadness that we grieve the loss of Lily Streeval, a junior at Columbus East High School. Lily was fatally struck this morning, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 by a hit and run driver while attempting to board her school bus.
“As was reported by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Lily was attempting to get on a stopped school bus when she was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and was followed by a witness who observed the crash. The suspect was located a short time later on County Road 250 East where he was taken into custody. Lily was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead as a result of her injuries. Due to the ongoing investigation into the hit and run crash, we continue working with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office to assist in every way possible.
“Secondary school aged students were on Lily’s bus this morning and are being provided with support. Additionally, ongoing support is being provided to all students and staff members at Columbus East, as well as any other students and staff within our corporation who have been affected by this tragedy. At East, an announcement was made to students and staff members during the day and a moment of silence was held. Counselors will be in each of Lily’s classes to meet with her classmates.
“Dr. Roberts stated, ‘As a school corporation, we experienced a devastating loss this morning. Our hearts go out to Lily’s family, friends, classmates and teachers who loved and supported her. She was full of life and enjoyed attending Columbus East High School. Auto Tech had emerged as her favorite class and she was thinking about a career in this area. We will miss her greatly.’”
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation
