More Details Released in Athens Bus-Train Crash

ATHENS — New details from Athens as the investigation continues into the deadly january 25th school bus and train collision. The police department has now released the crash report. According to our news partner KETK, it says the bus driver, 78-year-old John Stevens, did stop before the railroad crossing, just as state law says he’s supposed to do. The report says Stevens stopped right before the tracks, then pulled forward. That’s when the left side of the school bus was hit by the train, pushing it about a quarter mile down the tracks. Police say the train had just come around a curve, making it difficult to see. Police also say as the bus was being pushed down the tracks, it hit several signs and railroad gates, causing even more damage.

13-year-old Christopher Bonilla was killed. nine-year-old Joselyne Torres was critically injured and taken to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Stevens was also taken to the hospital. He was released pretty quickly. The report will be forwarded to the Henderson County district attorney. It’s unclear if any charges could be filed.