Failure to control vehicle, impairment to blame for Texas bus crash
The deadly crash occurred when a pick-up truck driver crossed a double, solid-yellow centerline, entered the southbound lane, and collided with a bus carrying 13 passengers.
This photo taken March 29, 2017, depicts the final resting position of the pick-up truck and 13-passenger bus involved in the fatal crash near Concan, Texas.
Photo courtesy of Texas Highway Patrol
3 min to read
This photo taken March 29, 2017, depicts the final resting position of the pick-up truck and13-passenger bus involved in the fatal crash near Concan, Texas.
Photo courtesy of Texas Highway Patrol
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the March 2017 crash near Concan, Texas was caused by a 20-year-old driver’s failure to control his vehicle due to his use of marijuana in combination with his misuse of a prescription medication.
The deadly crash occurred when a pick-up truck driver traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 83 crossed the double, solid-yellow centerline, entered the southbound lane, and collided with a bus carrying 13 passengers. The truck driver was observed by witnesses driving erratically for more than 15 minutes prior to the collision. The bus driver and 12 of the 13 passengers were killed. The truck driver and one of the bus passengers suffered serious injuries.
Ad Loading...
The bus was not equipped with passenger lap/shoulder belts, which would have provided a greater level of protection and mitigated injuries for passengers seated in the rear of the bus, according to the NTSB’s findings.
The post-crash inspection of the pick-up truck’s cab revealed unsmoked and partially smoked marijuana cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, and prescription and over-the-counter medication. Among the drugs identified in the pick-up truck driver’s post-crash toxicology test were Delta-9-THC, a primary active chemical in marijuana, and clonazepam, a sedative used to treat seizure and panic disorders. The driver stated he took twice his prescribed dosage of clonazepam prior to the crash.
The report also noted the prevalence of illicit, prescription, and over-the-counter drug use among drivers is increasing. The NTSB determined national leadership is needed to help identify science-based countermeasures that can be implemented at the state and local levels to prevent future similar tragedies.
“The pick-up truck driver in this crash made terrible choices with tragic consequences,” said NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt. “But, the rising tide of drug-impaired driving did not begin with this driver, and it will not end with him. Law enforcement needs additional tools and advanced training to detect impaired drivers before they crash, regardless of the impairing drug they’re using.”
The NTSB also determined the state of Texas needs increased safety-focused leadership, additional resources, and data-driven strategies to prevent future impaired driving crashes and fatalities. Additionally, to better understand the extent of the drug-impaired driving problem, the NTSB called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop a common standard of drug toxicology testing.
Ad Loading...
As a result of this investigation the NTSB issued three recommendations to NHTSA, including a recommendation to develop and disseminate best practices and model specifications for oral fluid drug screening devices that can be used by law enforcement during roadside stops.
The NTSB also recommended the Texas Department of Transportation promote the importance of attending drug-impaired driver enforcement training and increase training sessions to meet the demands of local and state law enforcement.
Recommendations were also issued to medium-size bus and seat manufacturers to install lap/shoulder belts as standard, rather than optional, equipment on buses.
Today’s riders—and the communities you serve—expect more from public transit. While ADA compliance is required, leading transit agencies know that true accessibility also means delivering dignity, efficiency, and a better rider experience. This whitepaper reveals why forward thinking agencies nationwide choose the Low Floor Frontrunner as their first choice for ADA compliant vehicles—setting a new standard with passenger first design, faster boarding, improved safety, and unmatched operational performance.
Fred Ferguson, president and CEO of the American Bus Association (ABA), discussed how the industry prepares for emergencies, the growing recognition of motorcoaches as critical infrastructure, and steps operators can take to strengthen disaster readiness.
The approved contract modification will increase funding for transit security officer services to a total not-to-exceed amount of $32.1 million, ensuring a continued and visible security presence across DART’s buses, trains, stations, and facilities.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
According to the new quarterly data, there were double-digit reductions in five of the eight serious crime categories, including aggravated assaults and robberies.
The project, finalized on February 12, provides the city with two different configurations of high-definition cameras to outfit 16 buses in the Pretzel City Area Transit fleet.
The funds will specifically reconstruct the portion of the pier used by PSTA’s Clearwater Ferry, creating a permanent dock for the ferry service, which serves as an important transportation and tourism link to other Pinellas County communities.
