Schoolbus Safety – Speeding Fatality File

School Bus Driver Allegedly Speeding ‘Well Above’ 30 MPH Limit Before Crash Killed 5 Kids

The school bus driver charged in Monday’s fatal bus crash in Chattanooga, Tennessee was allegedly speeding and driving in a “reckless” manner.

The school bus driver charged in Monday’s fatal bus crash in Tennessee — which killed five elementary school students and critically injured several more — was allegedly speeding and driving in a “reckless” manner before he lost control of the vehicle, according to an arrest report obtained by PEOPLE.

The report alleges Johnthony Walker, 24, “was driving the school bus at a high rate of speed, well above the posted speed limit” of 30 mph. Additional records show Walker has a checkered history on the road, including a previous traffic collision while driving a school bus.

According to his arrest report, Walker allegedly lost control of the school bus on Monday and swerved off the right side of the road into an elevated driveway and mailbox before swerving back to the left, causing the school bus to overturn and strike a tree and a utility pole.

Three fourth graders, a first grader, and a kindergartener were killed in the crash, Hamilton County Superintendent Kirk Kelly said Tuesday, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press and The Tennessean. Their names have not been released.

There were 37 students on board, according to the BBC, NBC News, and The Tennessean.

Walker was arrested on five counts of vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving.

The arrest report says officers charged Walker because “of the reckless nature of Mr. Walker’s driving, combined with his very high speed and weaving within his lane.”

Walker is being held on bond of $107,500 and his first court appearance is Nov. 29 at 8:30 a.m., a Hamilton County Court official tells PEOPLE, adding that he has not yet entered a plea or retained an attorney.

Source: People.com