UPDATE: Statement from MPISD administrator Wayne Isbell:
"The accident happened at 07:18 at Ferguson and 16th St. The bus was loaded with 59 students headed to MP JR High and High Schools. The bus was traveling North on Ferguson toward 16th street. The bus rear ended a loaded flat bed 18 wheeler tractor trailer that was legally stopped at a red light at the intersection on Ferguson. Both vehicles suffered damage. The bus was towed from the scene. The tractor trailer was driven away. The names of both drivers are not currently available. Due to the age of the students their names are not being released. The bus driver (1) and three students (3) were transported to TCMRC by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. Seventeen (17) students were taken to TCMRC by another school bus to be checked out for minor reported injuries. All other students who were not injured were taken to their perspective schools by a third bus. Mount Pleasant ISD is making a detailed notification to each of the students parents about the accident. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Mount Pleasant Police Department."
Released by Mount Pleasant Police Department
MOUNT PLEASANT/TITUS COUNTY (KYTX) - The Mount Pleasant Police Department is releasing the crash findings related to the Durham School Services school bus accident that occurred at Ferguson St. and 16th St. on August 16th in Mount Pleasant Texas.
As part of the crash investigation, officers interviewed several students on the school bus who could see the bus driver, an independent witness not on the bus, and drivers of both vehicles involved in the crash. A video recording from inside the bus at the time of the accident was also viewed. After investigating the accident scene the school bus was taken to Priefert Logistics Truck Shop in Mount Pleasant Texas. Preifert Logistics provided an independent inspection of the bus braking system. This inspection was done to validate the school bus driver's statement that the brakes on the bus had failed. The independent report concluded the bus brakes did fail due to brake mechanical problems.
The independent report is reflective of the crash scene investigation, interior video on the bus and statements obtained during the investigation. The Mount Pleasant Police Department concludes the crash to be related to the brake mechanical failure and the driver of the bus acted appropriately in her attentiveness and driving behavior. There is no indication that the bus was driving in excess of the speed limit or the actions of the driver contributed to the crash.
Numerous media outlets have asked if the school bus driver was texting before the accident. The Mount Pleasant Police Department reviewed several internet blogs which had postings on them stating the bus driver was texting on her phone and/or speeding just before the accident. The police department found that the blogs were inaccurate postings caused by fallacious rumors.
No citations were issued to the driver of the school bus.
