NTSB Report: School Bus Driver Had Been Involved In 12 Incidents In 5 Years

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The school bus driver involved in a Baltimore crash that killed six people on Nov. 1 had a history of hypertension, diabetes, and seizures and had been involved in at least 12 crashes or incidents while operating a school bus or personal vehicle in the past five years.

That's according to the preliminary report on the crash released today by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The week before the crash, paramedics were called to AAAfordable LLC, the company the bus was operated by, because he was experiencing what witnesses described as a seizure.

Glenn Chappell, 67, had been driving for various school bus companies since 2008.

Chappell died in the crash, as did the driver of the MTA bus he hit, 33-year-old Ebonee Baker, and four passengers of the MTA bus: 51-year-old Cherry Yarborough, 52-year-old Terance Casey, 51-year-old Gerald Holloway and 46-year-old Pattie Lynn Martinez.

"One of the victim's family members tells us as shocking as report's finding are they're really not that surprising. What's more, they don't change the fact that their loved one is gone."

MTA bus driver Ebonee Baker's father opened up to WJZ.

"To blame someone is not going to bring her back," said Darryl Spence. "He knows his history better than anybody else. I mean he could have found some other type of work. You know that's a bus. It's a loaded gun."

The preliminary report also confirms much of what police initially said about the crash, that the bus driven by Chappell was traveling east on Frederick Avenue that morning when it hit the rear of a 2012 Ford Mustang, then crossed through the center lane and collided with the MTA bus, which was traveling westbound.

The report says the bus was going about 57 miles per hour just before it hit the Mustang, in a 30 mph zone. The school bus was traveling about 45 miles per hour when it hit the MTA bus, which was going about 39 mph.

A teacher aide, who was the only other person on the school bus at the time of the crash, recalled asking the school bus driver what had happened after the impact with the Ford Mustang, but the school bus driver did not respond, the report says. The school bus then hit the MTA bus.

At the time of the crash, the school bus driver held a current medical certificate but it was not on file with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. About two months before the crash, the MVA notified the school bus driver that, because his medical certificate was not on file, he was no longer authorized to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

All aspects of the crash, including the school bus driver's medical condition and medical certification to drive, remain under investigation by the NTSB and the Baltimore Police. The NTSB will continue to work toward determining the probable cause of the crash.

Both Mayor Catherine Pugh and Baltimore City Schools have released statements on the NTSB's findings. Mayor Pugh expressed her concerns over school bus driver Gelnn Chappell's driving history saying  "I am very concerned about the way bus drivers are cleared for duty. We entrust the lives of our children to these public servants so we need to make sure they are up to the task."

Her full statement reads:

"Upon reading the preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) about the accident on Frederick Avenue last month, I am very concerned about the way bus drivers are cleared for duty. We entrust the lives of our children to these public servants so we need to make sure they are up to the task. My thoughts remain with the families of those involved and on the corrective actions to be taken to ensure traffic safety on our roads."

Baltimore City Schools has also said they're "continuing to work diligently to review and tighten processes and practices involving provision of contracted bus transportation for students. The safety of our students, the adults who staff school buses, and other drivers and passengers is our top priority."

The statement from City Schools also says: "On Monday, November 21, the district terminated its contract with AAAfordable LLC, following the tragic November 1, 2016, accident involving one of its buses. The district is now reviewing the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report of its investigation. We will continue to cooperate fully in the investigation and to await release of the final report. Because of impending litigation related to the accident, the district has no further comment at this time."

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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