Woman killed by commuter bus

By David Enders and Jacquelyn Nixon

Daily Staff Reporters

Janis Marchyok was a mother of three who volunteered much of her time to community theater and historical preservation.

"Being a secretary wasn't something that was her passion," said Wendy Uhlmann, genetic counselor in the Medical School's division of medical genetics. "Theater was her passion. She loved theater."

Ann Arbor police are still investigating how Marchyok, a 48-year-old Howell resident and secretary in the internal medicine department, was struck and killed by a University bus during a heavy downpour Monday. The 5:45 p.m. accident occurred in the intersection of Glen Avenue and East Catherine Street, where the bus, a commuter coming from North Campus, was turning.

AAPD Sgt. Michael Logghe said Marchyok was initially struck by the side of the bus before being dragged and run over. Police are not sure whether she was in the road or on the sidewalk and there were apparently no witnesses who actually saw the accident.

No charges have been brought against the 22-year-old University student who was driving the bus.

The driver told police he could not see Marchyok because of the heavy rain that was falling at the time. University spokeswoman Diane Brown said the student had been employed as a bus driver since 1998.

At least 20 people were on the bus at the time of the accident and were transferred to another bus.

University buses have continued running as normal after the accident and counseling is available for other drivers.

"I think just the fact that an accident has occurred will always increase everyone's awareness," Brown said.

Marchyok's death marks the first time that anyone has been killed in an accident involving a University bus.

"We have not been able to find in any records or anyone's memory another fatality involving a bus," Brown said, adding that there have been at least two serious injuries since 1990. "We have a number of fender-bender type things which involved other vehicles and poles."

Brown said there is no difference between the requirements for a student bus driver and a full-time bus driver. Both require a commercial driver's license, which must be obtained from the Secretary of State's office.

The University employs about 50 student drivers every year along with about 60 full-time drivers.

"We've trained the drivers and empowered them to make their own decisions about what is safe and isn't safe," Brown said. Drivers are required to find a "secure location as soon as possible to disembark their passengers."

Marchyok, who held a master's degree in history from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor's degree in education from Central Michigan University, was employed at the University of Michigan since 1997.

"She initially came into this job as a temp in another division," said Kate Blakeman, administrator of the internal medicine division. "She was very good at what she did and kept everything running smoothly."

Uhlmann said Marchyok was the first person that patients in the genetics division spoke with.

"She let them know what to expect, what records to bring, and answered questions," Uhlmann said. "She was very knowledgeable, she had a nice sense of humor. I liked her professionalism and commitment. She was very good at helping patients."

From 1991 to 1993, Marchyok was a member of the Howell Historic Preservation Commission and she was also part of the Livingston Historical Society.

Marchyok is survived by her three children, Michael, Patrick and recent University graduate Katherine, as well as her parents, Delores and Richard Foster of Lansing.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bell and Borek Funeral Home in Howell. Services will be at St. Kasimir Church, located at 815 Sparrow Rd. in Howell. A time has not yet been announced.

Donations may be made in Marchyok's name to the University's theater department.