When a family loses a loved one, the grief process can take many forms and can last for months and even years following the death. It can be argued that the holidays are a particularly rough time of year to suffer an unexpected loss. Sadly, one family is now beginning the grieving process as they struggle to come to terms with a fatal crash that left one dead and others injured. The crash involved a shuttle bus for a Texas Medical Center, and is an example of the devastation that commercial vehicle accidents can bring.
The incident is still under investigation. However, preliminary reports suggest that the driver of a shuttle bus lost control of the vehicle while making a run in the early evening hours of a recent Wednesday. The driver of the bus may have had a medical condition that contributed to the crash, but investigators have not released any information detailing the presence of such a condition.
The bus crashed into a pole, striking a woman standing nearby and pinning her between the pole and the vehicle. Despite efforts by witnesses to free her, she remained in that position until rescue workers arrived. She died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash. In addition, 11 others who were on the bus were taken to a hospital for treatment for a range of injuries.
As the investigation into this incident continues, additional details are expected to be released. Should Texas investigators determine that negligence played a part in the crash, the bus driver could face criminal charges in the case. In addition, a finding of negligence could lead to multiple personal injury lawsuits, as well as a wrongful death action on behalf of the family of the woman killed in the crash. As this case illustrates, commercial vehicle accidents can occur at any time, and can bring hardship to multiple families during one tragic event.
Source: CBS Houston, “One Dead, Several Injured After Shuttle Bus Crash At Medical Center,” Cicely Mitchell, Nov. 29, 2012
