Cement Truck Hits Texas School Bus, Killing Man and Boy: Dashcam Video Released

Tragedy in Texas: Cement Truck Collision Results in Fatalities

On March 22, a tragic incident occurred in Texas, resulting in the death of a man and a young boy following a collision between a cement truck and a school bus.

Arrest and Charges

The truck driver, Jerry Hernandez, aged 42, was arrested on Friday and has been charged with criminally negligent homicide in connection to the devastating collision. According to Sgt. Deon Cockrell of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Hernandez was apprehended without incident at a residence in Bastrop County. His bond is currently set at $500,000.

Details of the Incident

Reports suggest that Hernandez was interviewed by Texas police while receiving hospital treatment, during which he admitted to having smoked marijuana the night before the crash. Additionally, he confessed to only having slept for approximately three hours and consuming cocaine at 1 a.m. on the morning of March 22. Furthermore, Hernandez refused to provide a blood sample for analysis.

The collision occurred around 2 p.m. near Texas State Highway 21 and Caldwell Road in Bastrop County, an area outside Austin. The school bus was transporting over 40 pre-K students from Tom Green Elementary School who were returning from a zoo field trip. In addition to the students, the bus was carrying 11 adults at the time of the tragic incident.

Victims and Injuries

The collision resulted in the tragic loss of 5-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, who was a passenger on the bus, as well as Ryan Wallace, 33, who was in a vehicle near the bus when it was struck by the cement truck. Notably, Wallace was a doctoral student at the University of Texas.

Following the collision, four individuals were airlifted from the scene in critical condition, while six others sustained serious injuries and were transported to hospitals via ambulance.

Investigation and Safety Measures

The incident is currently under investigation, with authorities yet to disclose the speed at which the vehicles were traveling at the time of the collision. Additionally, it was reported that the school bus did not have seatbelts, as confirmed by statements from the school district.

Conclusion

This tragic event has prompted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision, shedding light on the importance of safety measures for school transportation. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this devastating incident.