A truck driver named Jerry Hernandez was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide following a fatal collision involving a school bus in Texas on March 22. Hernandez, 42, was arrested at a residence in Bastrop County and his bond is set at $500,000. He reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana the night before the crash and consuming cocaine in the early morning. Hernandez also refused to provide a blood sample for analysis. The crash resulted in the deaths of 5-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya and 33-year-old Ryan Wallace, who was in another vehicle.
The collision occurred near Texas State Highway 21 and Caldwell Road in Bastrop County, a rural area outside of Austin. The school bus, carrying more than 40 pre-K students from Tom Green Elementary School on a zoo field trip, was hit by Hernandez’s cement truck. The bus was also carrying 11 adults. In addition to the two fatalities, several individuals were critically injured and airlifted from the scene, while others were taken by ambulance to hospitals. The crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not determined the speed of the vehicles at the time of the collision.
Video footage released by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District showed other drivers rushing to help the victims after the crash. It was noted that the school bus did not have seatbelts, adding to the severity of injuries sustained by passengers on board. Ryan Wallace, who was killed in the collision, was identified as a doctoral student at the University of Texas. The tragic incident has left a community mourning the loss of life and grappling with the consequences of the negligence that led to the fatal crash.
Following the crash, Texas police interviewed Hernandez while he was receiving treatment at a hospital, where he admitted to his drug use prior to the collision. He was subsequently arrested and is facing serious criminal charges for his involvement in the incident. The arrest and charges brought against Hernandez serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible driving and the potential consequences of impaired driving. The community affected by the crash, as well as the families of the victims, are seeking justice for the lives lost and the injuries sustained in this tragic event.
The seriousness of the crash, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries, has brought attention to the need for improved safety measures on school buses and the importance of enforcing laws against impaired driving. The tragic loss of life in this collision has left a lasting impact on the families of the victims, the community, and the first responders who witnessed the aftermath of the crash. As the investigation continues and legal proceedings unfold, the hope is that justice will be served, and measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This devastating event serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and responsibility while operating vehicles on the roadways.
