More than six weeks since a Philadelphia charter bus crashed on a Boston highway, police have completed their investigation of the accident. Now they must decide whether the driver of the bus should be charged.
On February 2, a charter bus carrying passengers from the Philadelphia area struck an overpass on a road in Boston. The bus was carrying 33 students and nine chaperones from the Destined for a Dream Foundation, a non-profit group that helps underprivileged kids. In total, 35 people, including the driver, were hurt. All of the victims were eventually released from the hospital except for Matt Cruz, a 17-year-old Neshaminy High School student who suffered the most severe injuries.
Investigators say the driver, 66-year-old Samuel Jackson, took his eyes off the road to look at his GPS right before the bus hit the overpass. The Suffolk County District Attorney in Boston must now decide whether Jackson will be criminally charged.
“We want them to know there is a family that is waiting for justice,” said Tom Kline, who is representing three of the people injured. “We are waiting and watching very carefully to see that the right thing is done here.”
Kline and other attorneys who have prepared civil suits against the driver and the bus company, Calvary Coach, say their cases will only get stronger if criminal charges are applied.
Calvary Coach has had one crash in the past two years. The company also received three violations in 2011. Kline, who is also representing a victim in the deadly megabus crash from 2010, wants to see tougher regulations on drivers.
“We have a huge problem in the U.S. with bus companies and drivers who are reckless, poorly trained and poorly qualified,” said Kline.
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A decision on whether Jackson will be charged should be made within the next two weeks. NBC10 has tried repeatedly to contact Jackson but he has not responded.
