December is not only recognized for the holidays that are celebrated during this time, but also because it is one of the worst times to be traveling on the road. Drivers are becoming laxer as the holidays approach and many are preparing for their holiday road trip. Not only does this mean that roadways will soon be more congested than they already are, but also that they are going to be occupied by drivers that are distracted, inattentive, and careless. In fact, news outlets have already begun to report on some of the recent wrecks that have transpired all across the U.S.
The Commercial Appeal shared details on one devastating collision that occurred back at the beginning of the month involving a Tennessee charter bus that was traveling through Arkansas. The charter bus had been driving on Interstate 30 near Benton, just 25 miles southwest of Little Rock and was headed back from Texas to Memphis. On board the bus was approximately 46 individuals, many of which were elementary-aged kids who played in a football tournament in Dallas. The football team was a part of the Orange Mound Youth Association and the kids were from various schools including Aspire Public Schools.
The news outlet stated that while the bus driver was operating the vehicle, she allegedly lost control of it which then caused it to roll off the interstate. However, it was also cited that the skies were mostly clear and “there was visibility of 10 miles or greater” with no precipitation. Therefore, inclement weather was likely ruled out as the cause of the driver losing control of the bus. As a result of the rollover wreck, several of the kids on board the bus suffered injuries all ranging in severity. Twenty-four kids had to be transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and many others were taken to hospitals in Saline and Pulaski Counties. While all were said to have been in stable condition, one child wasn’t as fortunate as the others.
Sadly, the source cited that nine-year-old Kameron Johnson who was a student with Aspire Public Schools suffered fatal injuries.
What do we know about the tour bus company?
The tour bus, which is owned by Scott Shuttle Service in Somerville, TN currently “employs seven drivers to operate five buses.” The Commercial Appeal did uncover some information regarding past violations and here is what the source found:
- In July 2018, the company was fined for allowing a driver to operate a vehicle without acquiring the proper license to do so.
- In November 2017, the company was involved in a wreck in Jackson, TN.
- Over the last two years, four out of the company’s five vehicles managed to pass unannounced inspections.
- During those inspections, some violations were reported which included “a discolored or damaged windshield, an oil and/or grease leak, and an inoperable tail lamp”
Although officials have said that the bus driver did provide a statement saying she lost control of the vehicle, it isn’t clear what caused her to do so. The tour bus company has also chosen not to provide a statement as of yet.
With the roadways becoming more and more riskier to drive on, we encourage you to implement these holiday driving safety tips provided by Motus that are geared toward making your drive a safer one and remain cognizant of the fact that this is the time of year when more car wrecks tend to occur.
In the event you were recently involved in a car wreck in Nashville, TN or know someone who was, the Law Offices of George R. Fusner Jr. is here to help you. Not only can Nashville car wreck attorney George R. Fusner Jr. inform you on what your next steps should be following the accident, but he can also assess the incident and determine if, and how much, compensation you are entitled to receive.
To learn more about your legal rights as a car crash victim, contact our office today by calling 615-251-0005.
