Car hits Huskie Line bus

By Mark McGowan

There were no injuries Tuesday when a north-bound car on Annie Glidden Road hit a Huskie Line bus at Stadium Drive.

David W. Rhodes, 25, Marengo, was driving toward Lucinda Drive when he hit the east-bound bus at about 7:30 p.m. Witnesses said Rhodes did not have the car’s headlights on at the time of the accident.

Rhodes was arrested by DeKalb police and charged with driving without headlights.

“The guy didn’t have his headlights on. It was obvious to me the bus would not have seen the car,” said NIU student Kevin Lasebolt.

Lasebolt said the bus was headed for DuSable Hall. The bus then stopped at the stop sign and proceeded into the intersection when it got hit by the car, Lasebolt said.

Gail Barton, another NIU student, said she was returning from class and began crossing the street because she did not see the car. Barton said she began to run when she finally saw the vehicle.

“When we crossed the street, we looked back and the car crashed right into the bus,” she said.

Barton said the car was making a right turn when it hit the bus. She also said the car headlights were not on.

The bus was smashed in the right front corner near the stairwell, Huskie Line General Manager Charles Battista said. Battista said he does not know the exact amount of damage, but estimated it is more than $250.

The bus has been pulled from service and another bus has taken over its route, said Battista. “Body work like that is usually deferred until summer,” he said. Battista said he did not know when the bus would return to service.