Advertisement Bus driver charged in ISU student's fatal crash released from jail Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A bus driver charged in the death of an Iowa State University student has been released from jail after posting bond.Benjamin D. Clague, 23, of Gilbert, was charged Wednesday with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in a death, a class D felony and failure to obey a traffic control device, a simple misdemeanor.He posted bail and was released from jail on Wednesday.Ames police reported the arrest and charges Wednesday in the case of the fatal hit-and-run crash that killed 18-year-old ISU student Emmalee Jacobs, of Urbana.She was hit trying to cross Lincoln Way at Ash Avenue just south of the Iowa State campus on Dec. 14 about 7:04 a.m. An Iowa State University police officer found her in the road and she was taken to Mary Greeley Medical Center, but died from her injuries.Ames police said that with assistance from CyRide staff, they determined that Emmalee was struck by a CyRide bus within the crosswalk of Ash Avenue.He was arrested on Wednesday morning. He is being held in the Story County Jail pending bail of $10,300.Emmalee's family responded to news of an arrest in the case Wednesday afternoon by releasing a statement:"We are thankful that the Ames Police Department and Iowa State University were able to work together and that they found the person responsible for Emmalee's death," said Brad Jacobs, Emmalee's father.THE INVESTIGATION:"We believe that he heard what happened that morning and that he continued on his route. On the very next stop that morning, he got out of the bus and did a visual inspection of the bus which he normally doesn't do," said Ames Police Commander Jason Tuttle.Police had asked CyRide to review video from their buses and a supervisor flagged Clague's video for review. Police said they believe audio captured showed the collision and that Clague knew he hit someone."We believe the driver knew what he did that morning and he didn't come forward after we had many pleas that went out to the police. We had sign boards in the area all those things lead us to believe he knew what happened and he continued to not report that," said Tuttle.The Iowa State Daily talked to the Director of Transit at CyRide Sheri Kyras following news of the charges being filed Wednesday morning. She told them bus No. 976 was on the Gold Route and no one except the driver was on the bus at that time."This has hit us extremely hard. This is kind of the heart and soul of what we do, probably the biggest fear we could have at CyRide as we operate on a daily basis," said Kyras.Kyras told the Daily that CyRide was notified two weeks ago that is was possible one of their drivers was a suspect in the case. Kyras said CyRide is providing any information police need, including driver logs and bus camera footage.The Gold CyRide Route shuttles students in and around the Iowa State campus. A man shows the route travels west on Lincoln Way until it reaches Ash Avenue and then it turns south. (view map) Police said the investigation into the crash continues by the Ames Police Criminal Investigation Division.Anyone with information should call the Ames Police Department 515-239-5133 or the anonymous tip line 515-239-5533. You may also contact the Story County Crime Stoppers: Phone number at 515-382-7577, Online: www.storycountycs.com, Text: Text the word "STORYCOUNTY" plus your tip to 847411 (tip411).Look for more on this story coming up on KCCI-TV, KCCI.com, our Facebook page, mobile website m.kcci.com and apps.