A truck driver named Jerry Hernandez was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide following a deadly collision involving a school bus on March 22 in Texas. The crash, which occurred near Texas State Highway 21 and Caldwell Road in Bastrop County, resulted in the deaths of a man named Ryan Wallace and a 5-year-old boy named Ulises Rodriguez Montoya. Hernandez, who admitted to smoking marijuana and consuming cocaine before the crash, refused to provide a blood sample for analysis. Four individuals were airlifted from the scene in critical condition, and six others with serious injuries were taken to hospitals.
Hernandez, 42, was arrested at a residence in Bastrop County without incident. His bond was set at $500,000, and he does not yet have an attorney. Police reportedly interviewed Hernandez while he was in the hospital for treatment, during which he confessed to having smoked marijuana the night before the collision and consuming cocaine at 1 a.m. on the day of the crash. The school bus involved in the collision was carrying over 40 pre-K students from Tom Green Elementary School who were returning from a zoo field trip. The bus also had 11 adults on board. In addition to the two fatalities, several individuals were critically injured and taken to hospitals for treatment.
Following the collision, video released by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District showed other drivers rushing to help the victims and provide aid. The crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not provided information on the speed of the vehicles involved at the time of the incident. Additionally, it was noted that the school bus did not have seatbelts. The tragic incident has sparked debate and concern over safety measures on school buses and the accountability of drivers who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on duty. The community mourns the loss of those who perished in the collision and hopes for justice for those impacted by the tragic event.
The death of Ryan Wallace, a doctoral student at the University of Texas, and 5-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya has sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about the safety of school bus transportation. The families of the victims, as well as the injured individuals, are left grappling with the aftermath of the tragic incident. The arrest of Jerry Hernandez and the charges he faces have brought attention to the importance of responsible driving and the consequences of driving under the influence. The investigation into the crash continues, and authorities are working to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collision and the factors that contributed to its severity. As the community mourns and seeks answers, there is a renewed focus on ensuring the safety of school children and all individuals on the road.
