09/29/2015 // 1-800 Car Wreck // (press release)
Following the recent deaths of two Houston Independent School District students who were killed in a school bus crash, Texas State Senator Sylvia Garcia is now requesting that a study be conducted on school bus safety. Garcia made the request to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick asking that the Senate Committee on Education be charged with investigating matters including current laws linked to school bus safety standards, and how the Texas Education Agency collects data on accidents and safety standards.
Source: Your Houston News Report “Garcia requests study on school bus safety”
“This study will provide the Texas State Senate with the information needed to ensure the safety of our children on school buses. I believe that we must do everything within our power to prevent another tragedy from occurring. It is imperative that the parents of Texas know that their children will get to and from school safely.”
To read more visit http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/deer_park/opinion/garcia-requests-study-on-school-bus-safety/article_ab74d903-a868-5029-a290-78e972c388b9.html.
The school bus crash occurred when a bus driver struck a guardrail and flew off of an overpass.
Source: KEYE TV Report “UPDATE: Houston school bus crash kills 2 students, 3 people hurt”
“HOUSTON (AP) — A school bus plunged off a highway overpass in Houston after being hit by a car on Tuesday, killing two students and seriously injuring three other people, police and school officials said… Police spokesman Victor Senties said investigators believe that a car struck the front driver's side of the bus after swerving to avoid another vehicle during morning rush-hour traffic. The bus lurched to the right, struck a guardrail and toppled to the road below, Senties said.”
To read more visit http://www.keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/One-Dead-Several-Injured-When-School-Bus-Overturns-In-Houston-204983.shtml.
One of the students died at the scene, and the other died after being transported to a local hospital. An investigation into the cause and other circumstances of the crash continues.
Houston School Bus Safety
Issues concerning the safety of school buses have long been a top priority of transportation safety advocates. Particularly in the aftermath of an accident, many suggest there is a pressing need for thorough investigation and the subsequent implementation of new protocol for the protection of students. Houston personal injury lawyer Amy Witherite, who has handled cases involving school bus accidents in Texas says “there are so many factors that have to be examined when tragedies like this occur to help prevent them from happening again.”
The attorney says that with an estimated 34,000 students being transported by the nearly 1,000 buses in operation for the Houston Independent School District, it is vital that making sure all operations are in full compliance with applicable safety standards remain a top priority for those in charge.
The Houston lawyer further states “when it comes to matters like school bus maintenance and thoroughly checking the safety records of drivers, there is no room for error on the part of school districts when investigations are conducted.” When there is negligence or oversight, families in these cases can explore their legal options for moving forward.
Houston ISD is Texas’ largest public school district with approximately 215,000 students attending.
Of the recent Houston school bus crash, Government Greg Abbott released a statement saying “The State of Texas mourns the loss of Texas students today in a tragedy no parent should ever have to experience.”
Media Contact:
Lucy Tiseo
Eberstein Witherite LLP
#1800carwreck
Phone: 866-774-5410
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