The collision took place just after 4 p.m. in south Athens, and left the school bus partially wrapped around the leading locomotive. The train dragged the bus about a quarter of a mile and damaged the grade crossing gates at the Murchison Street crossing.
KRTE-TV in Pollock, Texas, reports that 78-year-old John Stevens was driving the bus. He was hired by the district in August 2018 but has 11 years prior experience driving a school bus. Stevens survived the crash and was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. He has since been released. As of Monday morning, he has not been charged or declared at fault in the collision.
Two students, 9-year-old Joselyne Torres and 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla, were on board the bus at the time of the collision. Bonilla was ejected from the bus and declared dead on the scene. Torres was airlifted to a Dallas-area hospital in critical condition but on Saturday was upgraded to stable condition.
The Athens police department stated that the crossing at which the collision took place was marked only by a crossbuck.
Union Pacific spokesperson Kristin South said the tracks were reopened by Saturday morning and did not sustain damage as a result of the crash. The railroad and the school district both offered the Athens Police Department full cooperation during the investigation of the crash.
One thing I noticed is officials kept saying the crossing had no lights or gates. Yet, video from above clearly showed lights flashing as well as lights on the gates.
An old OG said that Athens, Texas was on the SP and SSW. Can anyone which former railroad this accident was on. Crossing accidents are always hard on the conductors and engineers, especially when a school bus in involved.
Ed Burns
Retired Clerk from Northtown.
To bad someone’s child has to die this way. School buses are required to “stop, look, listen” for trains here in Washington state. Is it that way in Texas? If not, it should be. A school bus should never cross the tracks-any tracks, without stopping to make damn sure the way is clear. Every state should have S-L-L laws on the books and stress them to all bus drivers. Compared to a train, a school bus is like comparing a pop can to a Cadillac.
As a retired Class 1 railroader and a current school bus driver in Minnesota, this crash disturbs me. First of all the driver must activate the buses four way flashers prior to stopping the bus. Upon stopping, the drivers’ side window and service door must be open. The driver must look and listen for any train approaching. Do NOT take any crossing for granted. Always be careful–expect a train or movement on any track at any time.
Ed Burns
Retired Clerk from Minneapolis.
78 years old and driving a school bus. I dont think so!
As a school bus driver, 22-year LEO, and longtime Operation Lifesaver volunteer, I cannot fabricate a scenario where this bus driver is not at fault… This should never happen.
Having said that, I cannot imagine the pain of losing a pupil in my care and custody. Tragic, on so many levels. The family. Bus driver. Train crew. So much pain.
Prayers for all.