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Bus Driver Claims He Was Awake During Fatal Bronx Crash, Passenger Sues For $20 Million
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 24, 2011
Modified Mar 24, 2011
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WCBS 2
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 24, 2011
Modified Mar 24, 2011
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The driver involved in the Bronx tour bus crash that killed 15 passengers on I-95 is denying claims that he was sleeping at the time of the 5:30 a.m. collision. While investigators suspect he may have fallen asleep at the wheel (some passengers claim that the bus repeatedly veered into the rumble strips), Ophadell Williams insists that he swerved to avoid a tractor trailer. His lawyer Sean Rooney told the NY Times, "This is, plain and simple, an accident, a tragic one."
When the bus overturned on March 12, it slid hundreds of feet into a highway sign pole, which sheared the top off the bus. Some of the passengers were decapitated or maimed, leaving a grisly scene for first responders. Rooney and another lawyer, Howard Lee, says that Williams, 40, was sober and awake while driving and called passengers' claims about veering into the rumble strips "a lot of nonsense." They also said that Williams, who passed three blood alcohol breath tests, "doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t drink, and he doesn’t do drugs" and had taken a nap before driving passengers from Mohegan Sun back to Chinatown.
Still, that hasn't stopped one passenger from suing Williams and World Wide Tours, the bus operator, for $20 million. NY1 reports, "Attorneys for Yuke Chue Lo, 74, say she filed a summons and complaint claiming negligence, recklessness and shoddy business practices... Court papers say the bus company failed to hire a competent driver. The suit also alleges Williams was reckless by getting behind the wheel while sleep deprived." Lo fractured her skull and had traumatic brain injury from the crash.
Williams' license was suspended last week after state investigators found he lied on his application for his commercial license. Much has been made of Williams' criminal history, which includes a manslaughter conviction. Lee said, "Here’s a guy who made some mistakes in his life," but "He turned his life around. He has become a productive member of society." When Williams spoke to WCBS 2 earlier this week, he appeared to have an anxiety attack, "I'm having difficulty breathing… I’m hurt. I’m really hurt. I’m hurt about the whole situation.” His wife said, “I’m with him at night when he’s crying. I’m with him at night with the nightmares. You know, it’s terrible for all. It’s terrible for all of us."
Tagged
bronx bus crash
bus driver
chinatown bus
fatal bus crash
lawsuit
ophadell williams
world wide tours
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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