BISD ADDRESSES SCHOOL BUS SAFETY AFTER TENNESSEE TRAGEDY

  

Brenham Independent School District has released a statement concerning bus safety in light of the recent school bus tragedy in Tennessee.

A school bus in Chattanooga carrying 37 children crashed into a tree, killing six children. Several children remain hospitalized in intensive care. The driver, 24-year-old Johnthony Walker, has been charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving.

BISD Superintendent Walter Jackson released a statement this (Wednesday) afternoon saying:

"We are saddened by the school bus tragedy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families and school community.  As we reflect upon this terrible tragedy, it is important to remind the BISD community that we take every necessary precaution to make certain our students are safe, and are under the supervision of experienced and conscientious drivers. As always, the safety and well-being of all our students are our top priority."

Brenham ISD uses Durham School Services, the same company that owned the bus involved in Tuesday’s crash. Durham School Services CEO David Duke released a video on Tuesday addressing the accident. The video can be viewed here.

The company says the meet State and Federal mandates for school bus driver training in every state in which they operate. Furthermore, Durham School Services says their school bus drivers are "the most highly trained, tested and scrutinized drivers on the road, receiving specialized classroom and behind-the-wheel training, undergoing drug and alcohol testing, driving record and background checks, and medical exams.”

Investigators are reviewing evidence in the accident to determine exactly what happened. Authorities will review videos from the two cameras on the bus -- one rear-facing and one forward-facing -- and an informational box on the bus to determine what caused the crash.