The driver in the deadly school bus crash in Chattanooga has been involved in another crash two months ago as per the records. His mother, on the other hand, is asking for mercy for his son, noting that he tried to pull the children out of the school bus.
The school bus was split in half when it crashed into a tree claiming the lives of five children. There was a total of 35 students on board during the accident and officials are looking at the angle that the driver was speeding moments before the school bus swerved and crashed.
In a report by WRCB TV, the driver was identified as 24-year-old Johnthony Walker. He hit another vehicle while driving another school bus two months ago. This took place specifically on Sept. 20 on Sylan Drive. Accordingly, Walker sideswiped a Kia Soul that was going in the opposite direction.
The incident took place at a blind curve. No one was hurt in the Sept. 20 incident. There were also no indications that Walker or the Kia Soul driver were on alcohol or drugs.
Walker is working for the contract transportation company called Durham School Services. The company has a good record but the buses of the company have had a total of 17 crashes just for this year. A total of 19 injuries were reported from those crashes and one killed.
The Chattanooga school bus crash, however, is not yet on this tally. But in the past three years, the company has had more than 250 school bus crashes and some of their drivers were found to have drug records.
National Transportation and Safety Board Chairman Christopher Hart said in a statement, "We'll be looking at the company and into their past, who they hire and train. We have not done any of that yet, but that will be part of the investigation."
The CEO of Durham School Services, David Duke, said in a statement that their entire team is devastated by the accident and they will be working with officials regarding the investigation. They have offered to provide counseling to the students and families affected.
As for the mother of Walker, Fox 5 reported that her son texted her after the accident. He said that he loves his mother and that he was in a drastic accident talking about dead kids.
Walker's mother added that her son is a responsible man and the father of a three-year-old as she appealed for compassion. She also said that her son has never been in trouble in the past and that she is sorry for the families whose kids have been killed in the crash.
Meanwhile, Walker is currently facing five counts of vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving. It's currently unclear what caused the accident but one student on board said the driver was driving at high speed.
