Drug Abuse May Have Contributed to Fatal Bus Crash
Posted on October 8, 2008
Filed Under Criminal Law, DUI, Drugs, Felonies, Law, News, negligent operator |
Drugs may have contributed to Sunday’s tragic bus crash that killed 8 people and injured 30 en route to a Sacramento gambling casino. The 52-year-old driver of the charter bus, Quintin Watts, was arrested in his hospital bed earlier this week on the suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs. Watts, who was critically injured in the crash, has a history of substance and alcohol abuse and a string of motor-vehicle offenses.
The California DMV suspended Watts’ driver’s license for nearly two years after a succession of speeding and other vehicle violations. He regained his driving privileges in January. A long-time truck driver, Watts was unable to find a trucking job due to a recent jail stint for domestic violence. Hired by an independent charter bus service, Watts had completed several training rides with the bus owner. On Sunday, his first solo ride, Watts was carrying 43 passengers to the Colusa Casino Resort in Sacramento when he drifted off a rural two-lane road, overcorrected and ran off the road. As the bus rolled over it catapulted some passengers out broken windows and crushed others in the wreckage. It was the 8th most serious bus crash in the U.S. in the past three years.
Although the bus was labelled with the Greyhound logo, Greyhound spokeswoman Kim Plaskett said the company had sold the bus two years ago. Current ownership of the bus and possible licensing improprieties are still being investigated.
Watts’ family had been concerned about his new job as a bus driver. His mother, Chaney Mae Watts, told news reporters Watts had struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and been arrested on drug charges. “He wasn’t the best driver,” she said. “He knew we didn’t want him to drive.”
Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is a serious matter in California. When DUI convictions and combined with other serious traffic offenses, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles can tag an individual as a negligent operator and suspend or permanently revoke his license. If you face a serious motor vehicle charge, obtain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
-LegalPro
Comments
Leave a Reply