NTSB: 'It was an accident that didn't have to happen'

WASHINGTON -- Sixteen months after a bus crash claimed the lives of five Bluffton University baseball players, the report is in on the cause. A federal investigation cites driver error, confusing highway signs and lack of passenger safety features as factors in the deadly crash.

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board issued a summary report on the crash Tuesday. A final report is scheduled to be released in a few weeks.

The bottom line, according to investigators, is that bus driver Jerome "Jerry" Niemeyer, of Columbus Grove, mistook a left-side elevated exit ramp for a high-occupancy vehicle lane in which the bus had been traveling.

"This one hit close to home," said NTSB vice chairman Robert Sumwalt, whose neighbor is a college baseball coach. "We are here to take this tragic event and try to learn from it so other communities, other families don't have to go through the pain you are suffering. We can take tragedy and improve safety for all."

Investigators said Niemeyer, a relief driver, had been driving for 54 miles when he drove the bus off the exit ramp at Northside Drive, colliding with a bridge wall and tumbling 19 feet onto the southbound lanes of Interstate 75. The crash occurred at 5:38 a.m. March 2, 2007.

The crash killed players Tyler Williams, of Lima, Scott Harmon, of Elida, David Betts, of Bryan, Cody Holp, of Arcanum, and Zachary Arend, of Oakwood. Niemeyer and wife, Jean, of Columbus Grove, also died.

Weather, the mechanical condition of the bus, and the driver's qualifications and driving record were listed as factors that did not contribute to the crash, the report said. The report also concluded Niemeyer was not under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs or narcotic pain medication at the time of the crash. The report also found no evidence Niemeyer was asleep or was otherwise incapacitated before the crash.

Investigators cited the lack of safety restraints, resulting in 12 ejections during the crash at Northside Drive north of Atlanta.

Investigators and board members said there have been nine crashes at the site from 1997 to 2007. Three were fatal. All involved drivers from outside the Atlanta area.

"It was an accident that didn't have to happen," Chairman Mark Rosenker said. "Had the appropriate investigations taken place at the state level, we might not be here today."

Investigators said Niemeyer had a good driving record, had driven the route before, and had only been behind the wheel an hour before the crash. A required medical certificate, a requirement by law, was expired and Niemeyer had several risk factors for sleep apnea.

Niemeyer just missed the assistance that was available at the time, investigators said.

"He missed what route guidance was available," Investigator Deborah Bruce said. She said that 20 million drivers have successfully navigated the exit in the previous 10 years. "He didn't decrease his speed as he came up the exit ramp."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.