Georgia Bus Accident Kills Teen But Doesn’t Send Bus Driver to Jail

Posted on Jul 29, 2011

A recent update was released in the case against a Carroll County school bus driver who was involved in the fatal Georgia bus crash last October that killed a teenager.

Sadly, Rashawn James Walker, 17, was partially thrown through a window on the bus when the bus rolled over on him. He suffered fatal injuries, and thirteen other students from Temple High School also suffered various injuries during this tragic bus accident.

The report confirmed that Kenneth Ross Herringdine, the 59-year-old bus driver, had taken cough medicine and was drowsy, which may have led to the bus accident. In fact, the students on the bus witnessed the bus driver to be drowsy, and informed authorities that he even ran over a dog the day before.

Herringdine, was a driver trainee at the time of the accident, and had his trainer on board with him the day of the crash. Sheri Lyn Davis, his trainer, told authorities that he "does not pay attention." However, she could not take over driving because she had a cast on her broken arm.

After the crash, police tested Herringdine for drugs and alcohol, but the toxicology results revealed signs of brompheniramine, which is used in cough medicine and can cause dizziness and fatigue.

On Tuesday, July 12, Herringdine pleaded guilty in front of the judge and was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide. He was sentenced to one year of probation and a $600 fine. However, he did not receive jail time, and the family of the deceased teen was not happy with this decision.

We are saddened to hear of the loss of a young life and would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Rashawn James Walker during this difficult time.