Chattanooga Bus Driver Has Court Appearance; Employer Knew of Complaints

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Johnthony Walker, 24, the bus driver that intentionally crashed his vehicle filled with children, had a brief court hearing Tuesday where he learned his preliminary hearing was postponed until December 15, 2017. His bail remains at $107,500.00.

Walker, who has been charged with six count of vehicular manslaughter in the crash that left six children dead and injured thirty others. Two of those children are still hospitalized listed critical condition.

Durham School Services have admitted have knowledge of the continued complaints registered from parents over Walker’s erratic and dangerous driving habits.

UPDATE: Sixth Child Dies; Three Remain Critical; Two in Fair Condition; 25 Others Released in Chattanooga Bus Crash

Twice in November, days before the fatal crash, transportation director Ben Coulter spoke with representative from Durham School Services regarding the complaints.

The last statement was delivered on Friday November 18, 2016 three days before the fatal crash.

Monday, November 21, 2017, on a residential road, not on Walker’s route, a country road used to minimize time and known for its sharp turns, where he, behind the wheel in anger, over another complaint, asked the children “are you prepared to die” and then aggressively pursued speeds beyond his capacity to control which resulted in the crash.

The NTSB is continuing to work through the statements and have indicated they are focusing on Walker’s previous driving record and are aware of previous incidents.

Walker made no statements after his arrest at the scene.

This is a developing story.