A suspended Washington County school bus driver was traveling around 58 mph on a curvy county road last month when she lost control and wrecked, injuring 27 students onboard as the bus rolled twice.
Now, Brenda K. Gray, 54, of Jonesborough, faces a slew of charged because of those injuries. Gray was jailed Wednesday on eight counts of reckless aggravated assault, 31 counts of felony reckless endangerment, speeding, reckless driving and failure to exercise due care.
That is a charge for each of the 39 students on the bus.
Gray turned herself in Wednesday morning after officials contacted her about the charges, according to District Attorney General Tony Clark. Washington County General Sessions Judge James Nidiffer arraigned Gray, set her bond at $50,000 and appointed the public defender’s office to represent her.
Clark and the Tennessee Highway Patrol announced the arrest during a press conference at the George Jaynes Justice Center. The investigation is continuing, but Clark said it’s unlikely there will be any more charges filed.
As to the decision on the charges to file, Clark said it was Gray’s “reckless behavior,” that set the tone of the case. An aggravated assault charge can apply in two situations — one is the intentional or knowing assault and the second requires the offender recklessly engage “in conduct that places or may place another person in imminent danger or death or serious bodily injury.
That’s the provision under which Gray is charged.
“We felt, after looking at the reports generated by the different branches of THP, that the bus driver in this particular situation committed reckless acts in that she was traveling a minimum of 25 to 30 miles over the posted speed limit which is 30 mph.
“There appears to be no mechanical problems (with the bus) involved as a result of this crash,” Clark said. “Her speeding is directly responsible for the crash itself. She did not, in our opinion, did not exercise due care at all. You’re talking approximately 60 miles per hour on a 30 mile-per-hour road. If you’ve seen these curves, there’s just, in my opinion, no excuse being a bus driver, even in a car, going that fast much less driving a vehicle with 40 students,” Clark said.
The wreck happened around 3 p.m. on Mount Wesley Road after Gray picked up 39 students from David Crockett High School. Gray was on her way to the first drop-off when she lost control of the bus.
“Apparently the bus, traveling at that rate of speed on that road, took a curve, hit the curbing, overcorrected and ran off the right side the road and turned over and turned over again,” Clark said. Previous estimates were the bus rolled three times, but Clark said Wednesday it only rolled twice.
“In our opinion that was reckless on her part given the duties she has a bus driver.”
Clark said a post-crash inspection of the bus did not reveal any mechanical or maintenance issues — including a tire with thin tread — that could have contributed to the crash
Because of the continued investigation, Clark declined to speak about a statement Gray gave the day of the crash. Some students have also given statements, but that information was not revealed either.
Several students have reported to local media they felt like Gray was speeding when the crash happened.
One student injured in the Sept. 20 crash — Cheyenne Bunton — and relatives of a few others attended the press conference.
Bunton was joined by her parents and the family’s attorney, Don Spurrell. Director of Schools Ron Dykes said after the announcement that he’s received letters from two attorneys stating they represent three of the students.
Dykes said it was “heart wrenching” to hear the charges and that student safety remains his top concern. He said county bus drivers have annual training and are often reminded that safety is a top issue.
Brenda Story, whose son Daivd was on the bus, said she has “mixed emotions” about the charges. She wanted to attend the press conference to hear first-hand what charges would be levied against Gray.
“We thought the world of Ms. Gray. After hearing this ... I have mixed emotions,” she said.
David Story was initially considered uninjured in the crash, but his parents took him to the hospital that night. He suffered a broken rib, pulled muscle in his neck and a closed contusion, she said.
“He doesn’t want to get on the bus,” she said. For now, she is taking him to school in the morning but because of her work schedule David has to ride the afternoon bus.
“Right now I’m just trying to process the whole thing,” she said.
Clark said it was quick action on the part of emergency personnel on scene that saved students lives.
“There were several students who, had they not been gotten to when they were and decision made to medically address their problems first, this could be a lot worse than it was,” he said. “It was a joint effort on everybody’s part.”
Gray has lived in Jonesborough six years, Clark said, and that’s also the length of time she has driven a bus for the county schools. She was previously a school bus driver in Texas and has nothing on her driving history related to driving a bus.
THP Trooper William Shelton said Gray has one wreck on her driving history, but it involved her driving a car, and he had no details about it.
The eight reckless aggravated assault charges carry two to four years each and the felony reckless endangerment charges carry one to two years each.
Clark said this is just the beginning of the court case, but he would anticipate seeking consecutive sentences if there is a conviction.
That decision would be up to a judge.
MannyCalavera writes:
October 3, 2012
1:28 PM
This feels like pandering to the angry mob to me. Assault charges for an accidental crash? By all means, if she was excessively speeding, that should bring charges, but assault just doesn't seem to fit.
Assault is "an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact". I'm not sure any literate person could, when seperated from the emotions of the incident, apply that here.
Maelei writes:
October 3, 2012
2:00 PM
58 in a 30? That is pretty bad. I live out in the country off of Corby Bridge and the school buses fly by out here too. There needs to be more police monitoring our road. I feel bad for her though. You know she just feels aweful about all this. Don't forget to pray for her too. This is a huge thing to be responsible for.
zkec19 writes:
October 3, 2012
2:22 PM
I agree with the 1st two responses--the charges are too harsh. Had she been under the influence of drugs or alcohol that would warrant serious charges, but speeding--really??? Is anyone really going to say that they have never been guilty of speeding while driving with children in the car? It happens, sure it shouldn't, but it does. Speeding is not a criminal offense. This charge is purely politically motivated.
dragonfly writes:
October 3, 2012
2:51 PM
This woman was not just speeding. She was responsible for the lives of other people's children and she seriously did not heed that. Whenever the possible loss of life or serious injuries are concerned, the penalty should be harsh. These children could have lost their lives. If it had been one of your own, how would you have felt"? You depend on people in charge of your children to be responsible adults who THINK.
doublestar writes:
October 3, 2012
3:28 PM
Basically these charges are CYA. If she hadn't been charged, the county would have 50+ lawsuits on their hands. It's political...period...they are trying to save money. I'm glad the kids came out ok....but someone had to take the fall.
Maelei writes:
October 3, 2012
3:37 PM
Yeah, she should be held responsible and will be. I am just saying we are called to love mercy. She has to live with this the rest of her life and so will the children. But what if that was you and you always had parents jumping on you for not getting their children dropped off at the bus stop on time. Even with her speeding she never thought something like this would happen. Be merciful you never know when something like this could happen to you. Maybe not a school bus but what about a pedestrian or a dog and you really didn't mean to hit them. You will be wishing someone were showing you mercy.
MannyCalavera writes:
October 3, 2012
3:41 PM
The fact that she had children on board doesn't change anything. Again, when removed from the emotions involved, any literate person can see that assault does not apply. And in fact, it is so obvious that I wonder if the JC Press didn't just make a mistake by using that word, because I'm not sure any competent prosecutor would try for that. If they are, then yeah, it's political pandering, "look how tough I am, think of the children" and all the usual BS.
You can't say "well, the penalty should be severe because kids" and use that as justification for whatever charge you feel like. There has to actually be evidence of assault. This is reckless endangerment, this is someone driving carelessly, not someone hitting kids with a pipe to get their lunch money.
Djackson writes:
October 3, 2012
4:26 PM
Throw 'er under the bus!!
Imker writes:
October 3, 2012
4:29 PM
I wish they would tell how they know the bus was going 58 in a 30 mile an hour zone. Is there a black box on the bus, or a GPS device? Or is it estimated by skid marks, or what?
Maelei writes:
October 3, 2012
4:30 PM
She is responsible and will be held accountable. No one is denying that. Would you like her burnt at the stake? Man, Don't you feel any compassion for her at all? She is burdened with what she did including the possible permanent injuries on the children, she lost her job, she could face prison time, her name will be slandered all over the place. This is the kinda guilt that can really put people under.
dragonfly writes:
October 3, 2012
5:55 PM
The simple fact is; this woman was an adult. When she took on this job, she was telling parents, children, and the people she worked for that she was responsible. Speeding should have never entered the equation. She wasn't drunk or high, so she should have known the consequences of her actions. So many tragic things could be avoided if everyone would just stop and consider the consequences. And if that's ignored, then whatever happens is the person's own fault, whether that be losing a job or facing prison time to pay for that thoughtlessness. Hopefully, she will learn from this experience.
lovetodrive writes:
October 3, 2012
7:34 PM
I still don't know how she was driving 58 mph on that road but if that is what they come up with I guess she was.The charges are to harsh yes she should be charged but really !!!No one plans on wrecking but if she was speeding and that is what caused it yes she should be charged.Now all the law suits but not to the county to the driver no one to even back her she is a great driver has been for years but it only takes 1 time to mess up.I hope people will call if they see buses going fast don't wait until something happens then start saying stuff . I pray for Brenda and all the drivers.There is no excuse for speeding ever ,even if the parents complain that the kids are getting home late because some of the drivers have two schools to go to and it makes the kids late getting home.
Imker writes:
October 3, 2012
9:27 PM
Was it the first time she had ever driven this particular bus?
IDK500 writes:
October 3, 2012
9:29 PM
Any idiot driving something that big that fast knowingly took a risk with all of those children! That is how it is assault she knowingly hurt them just her own stupidity it was not an accident everyone knows that road is dangerous in a small car speeding but a top heavy school bus loaded with children???? We all know that was her own actions that set this in motion and she knew she was taking a chance with those kids lives she screwed up now she must pay the piper!
vgetsu writes:
October 3, 2012
9:46 PM
How could a school bus be going at a speed of 58 mph? Is there not a governor on the bus that regulates speed? I live in North Carolina. School buses here have a governor that regulates maximum speed on school buses to 45 mph.
lovetodrive writes:
October 3, 2012
10:13 PM
Yes they have governors 54 mph was the speed of that bus. I am not sure if she had driven the sub bus before that day or not I still don't see how she was doing 58 mph on that road. Nobody is perfect but she knew better if she was really going that fast. I am sure there will be needing bus drivers for Wash co so maybe some of you all will apply!!!
rhon0311 writes:
October 3, 2012
11:00 PM
How interseting? THe Bunton family involvement will endure to the bitter end Im sure. Let's milk the school system!
kpierson writes:
October 4, 2012
12:27 AM
They're simply charging her as much as they can to try to deflect the culpability of themselves in the situation. There is a lot of "Statements" on what happened here but no actual facts to back it up except a few opinions by government employees.
They're hoping they can cover themselves from law suits by saying it was her fault and nothing failed or that it was their own safety issues that caused the problem.
EvilLady writes:
October 4, 2012
12:32 AM
i read an article that complaints had been made against this driver for the last 3 years with a discription of the complaints....if that comment was true..and as many camcorders and iphone that are available....why didnt someone film it and attach copies to all state education departments??? when that happens and they have proof on film...something is done immediately.....why wait the 3 years and then scream about it after the fact....makes no sense to me....
Jagerdawg writes:
October 4, 2012
6:17 AM
Appears the Lottery is coming to Jonesbough with attorneys in tow!!!!!
MooksterL1 writes:
October 4, 2012
11:28 AM
Bus drivers shouldn't be speeding. Ever. Not even 5 miles over the posted speed limit. It is not acceptable. I do not feel the charges are too harsh. She is fortunate that the response personnel were so capable and more than likely saved lives. Otherwise there would be vehicular homicide charges as well.
lovetodrive writes:
October 4, 2012
3:07 PM
Evillady I think you heard wrong she has never been call in on for anything . The person that drove that route before her had been called in on not her !!! She is the one that will be sued not the county as you all have read it was her fault. I hate it for her I still don't see how she was going that fast on that road .I still think there was something that happen maybe a fight or something that has taken her eyes off the road and then she push the gas instead of the brake maybe it was a straight shift and is not used to it alot of things could have happen I agree she was in the wrong for speeding but I have read in the paper of people hitting the gas and running into building just saying!!!
justdawn writes:
October 4, 2012
4:24 PM
We are new to the area and I am appalled by how fast the bus drivers drive on these country roads. It was absolutely criminally negligent to go twice the legal speed limit and especially with a bus load of children. I can understand feeling badly for her, but maybe this will serve as a lesson to the other drivers out there and they will slow down!
lovetodrive writes:
October 4, 2012
5:34 PM
Please call in on them if you see it don't wait until something happens then complain.I believe Wash Co has some of the best drivers around I am sure they are all very careful now but not all drivers speed you just have to be one to know what it is like. I believe they need monitors on the bus 60 kids is alot to watch and watch the crazies on the road I know what it is like I was a drivers for years! almost 30 yrs !!
lovetodrive writes:
October 4, 2012
11:36 PM
I think it is strange a child was ran over in Greenville as he was getting on the school bus and the driver was not charged. You didn't hear alot about that I was told he is still driving not sure about that so why is it this driver for Wash Co has lost her job and maybe facing time in jail not alot of talk about theGreene co driver. I hope after this driver tells her side of what happen that things will change. Maybe alot more to it than the people know!
lococritic writes:
October 5, 2012
10:29 AM
Is this an Election Year? BS told me that the assault charges won't float...
fedup37664 writes:
October 8, 2012
6:59 AM
I think it is awful that this bus driver is charged with all of these charges. She had an accident. She was an on-call bus driver. Which means that for her to even bond out of jail, that a bondsman requires 10 percent of the bond. She would not have even made $5000 last year. If found guilty all restitution will be from her. I wonder if any of the outraged parents or public realize this. Do the parents know that if your income was less than $5000 and you go to jail that your income becomes 0. How many medical bills are paid with no income? None. What is sad is no one who blames her realizes it could be them someday. Sad.
lovetodrive writes:
October 8, 2012
10:36 PM
I agree with you. they don't make much at all
lotsoftafun writes:
October 9, 2012
6:40 PM
I have kids & I drive over the speed limit at times..However, when I have other kids w/me, I am extremely careful..I realize I have my children & their friends lives in my hands..Their parents have entrusted their care to me..Which is what we do each time our children step on that school bus, entrust our child/children's safety to that driver..I can not imagine what Ms. Gray is going through..However, I also believe we are responsible for our own actions & she should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law..This is a horrible accident that could have been avoided if rational thought was used..Now those 39 children will have to live w/the consequences of her actions..Emotionally & physically..We have laws & speed limits for a reason, what's the point in having them if there are no repercussions..
Amare Delectare writes:
October 17, 2012
2:46 PM
The harsh reality is that an adult accepted the responsibilities associated with driving a school bus on an unfamiliar route and did not adhere to posted speed limits. The consequences of her actions, including forming an intentional decision to drive above posted speed limits, had real-word repercussions including serious bodily injuries to many children to whom their care she was entrusted.
Although she did not deliberately injure the children, she was hired in part because her employer was convinced she held the requisite skills to perform the task she was paid to do.
Her actions caused injury to others and she should be judged by a jury of her peers in the society in which she lives as to what the consequences should be.
boo writes:
November 20, 2012
12:53 AM
I think that all of you ; should remember that she is a human. That means people make mistakes, - Yes, it was a aweful thing that happened; that does not mean she should be punished so severaly. How many have had a wreck or come close to one, with your children in the car? Or even played with your kids, or had to control a fight with your kids in the car? Or Speed?> Its human, people are not perfect. Parents are not perfect; I dont see every parent, or family or friend, that has had a wreck with a child in the car, being charged. ( I say if she was not on drugs) get off this woman. She is human, and if you read on this- the children liked this woman. . She has my prayers, as do the children. You people should really think about your own actions, before judging others soooooo harshly. Human= mistakes!! not perfections.
OffTheChain13 writes:
November 21, 2012
9:37 PM
boo, there is no reason for a school bus to go nearly twice the speed limit, and injure 40 kids UNDER AGE 18 as a result of it. In her training, if the kids are being unruly, she has the right to stop the bus and notify proper authorities. If unruly kids were the case, then she obviously thought scare tactics were going to work. WRONG! All she did was potentially get herself a sentence for the rest of her life.
Understated writes:
December 5, 2012
10:00 AM
I find it hard to want to show mercy... I am a mother of one of the students. Their lives and ours have changed in drastic ways because of this. My daughter has been through hell and back, I have had to take FMLA at work in order to provide her care. I have no income coming in because FMLA doesnt pay if you have used your vacation time up. For the first time since this wreck we finally got good news yesterday. My child still has major amounts of healing to do and is just now starting to get out of the woods, Medical bills are piling up because ... NO the school hasnt paid all of the students medical bills, i have been and continue to pay my childs bills. Since the school never bothered to contact me to let me know about the accident i honestly didnt expect them to even bother paying the bills. You try to get your child to sleep at night when she/he has been through something like this. You try to get them to see it as a stupid accident. You deal with the possiblity of your child never walking again, all the pain they endure to continue on a day to day basis, the humility of not being able to do the small things we take for granted , like go to the bathroom by themselves. You try to explain to your child that there wont be a Christmas this year because it takes what little money you do have coming in to make sure you have power on. You explain to your child why their lives will never be the same, you look into their eyes and help them deal with this, then judge us parents for being upset. If we had been driving in our own vehicle we would not only face the same charges but we would get slapped with no seat belt charges as well. We all choose to work in certain fields, If we do not do our job then we deal with the fall out from that. She tried to blame the children for this accident, they were not in the seat driving the bus. She at any point if they were misbehaving could have pulled over, but did she? no she continued to "play a game" As an adult holding that many lives in your hands, you should know not to horse play on a backwards road. Pray for her? Im sorry at this point in time im praying for my child to heal 100%, and not to have to much pain for the rest of her life. Im praying to keep food on the table and get her healed and that i still have a job once she is at a point she can take care of her self. By one stupid action on the drivers part she destroyed several lives. But according to what im reading, its to harsh? You tell your kid that the doctors arent sure she/he will ever be able to walk the way they use to, never run again, you try to replace the lost time they have had out of school, you try to stop the nightmares these kids wake up with every single night. You put your self in their shoes, seeing their friends lying there blood all over them, screaming, not knowing whats going on. Then you tell me how you would feel. You tell me how you will feel at that point. Then take your self to christmas day, 3 months of lost wages that you will never get back, and tell me how you explain to your kid you couldnt even get them stocking stuffers because your covering co-pays, and other bills. Im sorry if i have no mercy for her. Im sorry if i find her at fault for this. She made the decission to speed, to drive recklessly to endanger their lives. We all make the decission every day when we get behind the wheel how we are going to drive. I have no pity for her. My child has gotten nothing except pain from this, her mom out of work and bills piling up. My child has done nothing wrong, but bares the brunt of this. No.... I will never feel pity, pray or hope for anything less than the full extent of the time she has been charged with.