Truck Driver Gets Sentenced To 20 years For 2014 School Bus Crash
by Jana Ritter - Published: 8/22/2016A Florida truck driver has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for crashing into the back of a school bus full of children in 2014. The incident caught media attention not only because of the children injured in the wreck, but also because the truck driver’s wife had been naked in passenger seat of the cab at the time of the crash.
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According to State Troopers, 37-year-old Shannon Ford was driving a log-hauling big rig at about 2:45 pm on Sept. 29, 2014. Bradford County 911 operators received two calls from witnesses concerned about a log hauler truck that was identified as belonging to “Mo's Trucking” and that was reportedly driving in an erratic manner. The second witness that called was actually another truck driver who had been following behind the log hauler. Shortly after the call came in, Shannon’s rig was approaching a Bradford County school bus on US 301 that had it lights flashing and stop arm extended to indicate it was coming to a stop at NW 183rd Street.
Ford crashed into the back of the school bus and the impact caused the bus to be pushed off the road and through a ditch, hurling the children from their seats. The rig jack-knifed until it finally landed in the ditch as well. Fortunately there were no fatalities, but seven of the 15 students on the bus along with the bus driver were injured and taken to local hospitals. The most serious injuries among the bus victims was a young boy’s entire leg being crushed and another boy who suffered a serious skull fracture. Ford and his wife were also both seriously injured. Sherry Ford was also found naked in the truck's cab and claims that she had taken her clothes off while they were driving because she was hot and that the impact of the collision had tore her underwear off.
Terrence Jamerson, the second truck driver who had been following the couple, witnessed the crash and immediately confronted Ford at the crash site. When Ford claimed he did nothing wrong, Jamerson responded by punching him in the face. While Ford ended up pleading no contest to charges stemming from the crash, he still denied his culpability in court and claimed that the trucking company’s improper maintenance of the truck is what led to the accident. In fact, Troopers did confirm that eight of 10 brakes were defective. His wife also pleaded on his behalf. "Shannon has said so many times that he wished he was killed that day, so the kids could have no injuries. He wanted his own life taken."
However, Ford’s previous driving record was also taken into account and his wife’s pleas were no match for the numerous emotional testimonies indicating the impact of the crash on the victims. The judge sentenced Ford to 20 years in prison, five years for each of the four counts of reckless driving with serious injury. He will serve the terms consecutively and was given credit for 500 days served.
Everyone knew the brakes were bad, DOT had inspected the truck the morning of the crash, found 8 out of 10 brakes bad but let it go on down the road. Can someone explain to that shit to me?
Yep sure can....oooops
Let's see..I get out of service and shut down for faulty brake lights(short). But DOT let's no brakes at all..go down the road
Russell Dickerson, that's the report on this case.
Because he was fined and once your fined it makes you legal again. It's all about the money
Not how it works Mark A Fitez. When placed OOS which he should have been, a repair order has to be signed off on.
Jake Moore um yes it does and there's the proof he was dot inspected should have been put out of service I'm sure he was fined and turned loose it's all about the money
He didn't pay a fine and roll. One brake out is OOS. The only way he left legally is if he had a mechanic fix it and sign off on it. That happened to me when my turn signal quit working. I had to wait on mechanic and dot had to see it work before I could leave.
I've never heard of anyone being released with bad brakes. You have to be towed to be repaired, then proof of repairs turned in. I don't get this. That being said, if any of my drivers we tagged for having 8 out of 10 brakes being bad they'd be looking for a new job. It's the driver's responsibility to make sure that the equipment is safe.
After reading it again, it doesn't say he was inspected prior to crash. It says "Troopers confirmed 8 of the 10 brakes were found to be defective". That was likely found in a post crash inspection as required by law since it involved injuries.
Jake Moore, it may not say it in this article, but I have read many articles that did. FYI
Kim Kirby, sorry, but in reality, it is your responsibility, as the equipment owner, to make sure your drivers are living up to your as well the worlds expectations. So please don't just put this on the drivers.
Exactly !!
Victor Collins, it is the DRIVERS responsibility. The driver HAS to make sure that the vehicle is safe to operate, either the driver adjusts the brakes, or they PAY to have it done. The owners responsibility is to make sure that the driver DOES their job. It's been that way since trucks have been on the road, and it WILL stay that way.
I once jad to adjust the trailer brakes and the California d.o.t. went back under and remeasure d and let me gom
If the driver does not own the truck it is their responsibility to tell the owner about the issue. And the owner has to get the problem fixed or they can refuse to drive it.
He was not placed out of service, that's the issue at hand.
Kevin Crombie, take it to court my friend take it to court.
Sometimes DOT will let you go as long as you go to the shop to fix it. Probably how it happened, but he didn't go to the shop.
Michael Goldman, there is no way that DOT should ever let a truck on the road with 8 out of 10 brakes being found to be faulty.
Not the drivers responsibility for repairs it's the owners it's the drivers responsibility to point out faulty equipment Kim
Um just to point out, if you notice that ur brakes are bad during a pre trip and your in the yard or at a truck stop...it's the drivers responsibility to inform and put.the truck in shop. That's what a pre trip is for. How long have you been driving David Beatty?
Michael Goldman unless u found the one officer that doesn't care...having 8 out of 10 brakes out they will red flag you and have you tow the truck to shop. How long have you been driving Michael Goldman?
Kirk Righetti, I don't know what a pre trip is, can you explain? I've been driving for many many years and never found that in the trucking regulations. Please explain?
Victor Collins there is NO defending this driver. He hit the back end of a stopped school bus with lights flashing. He was distracted. Witness accounts of him driving erratically. If it was a brake issue that caused the erratic driving, he should have pulled over a long time before. His wife was flirting with him. Enough said.
Walter Franklyn Todd, who the hell said I was defending this driver? I just stated that the driver should not be the only in the shit here. Now please explain how I was defending anyone? I don't think you'll be able to?
I'm not understanding what point there making about her being naked distractive driving I don't see it it goes back on the brakes as a driver you shut the truck down during pre trip DOT should have shut it down 2 fail safes missed and the accident still happened has nothing to do with her being naked in the truck
Very true. If she was sleeping and injured during the crash, it's not likely that she would hop up and get dressed. Just a case of people looking for dirt. When it happened everyone was talking about driver fatigue. Where did that go?
Marty Sprague, not to say your wrong about her sleeping, but it was a log truck without a sleeper. As far as I know she might have lost her clothes in the crash. I have been (as a first responder) been to crashes where that has happened. Lady was only wearing a sun dress anyway, and it was completely torn off of her.
It said she was in the passenger seat, not sleeping in the bunk and she was probably teasing him aka distracted driving.
Victor Collins my point in its entirety is that us that weren't there are commenting our comments based on assumptions. When this first happened, it was all over social media that it was a Crete truck that did it. So, who knows what the real story is. Also, I've seen many log trucks with sleepers.
Hmmm.....the "her being naked in the truck" might have had something to do with the two 911 calls before the accident for erratic (or erotic) driving....just thinking out loud here!
Marty Sprague, really, I was agreeing with you my friend. As for a log truck, not a highway truck that hauls logs, but a log truck, never seen a sleeper, too much weight to go into the woods with. But if you say so, I guess!
Victor Collins, I know that you and I are on the same track. I live in Nc. You don't see a lot of logging companies with sleeper trucks, but a lot of the log haulers will have them. Not because they want them, but because they get whatever is cheap for log trucks. In the Carolina's there are a lot of them.
It had a sleeper.
(1) He didn't even thump his frigging tires that day, and (2) DOT only "Read his comic books" (Log book, permits, etc., if he had been pulled in to an inspection barn or lot, he would have been OOS'd ON THE SPOT)
95% of the drivers wouldn't know if their brakes was wore out or not. Sounds like the company is just throwing the driver under the bus
Especially drivers now a days...they drive their trucks like their own personal...but how would the company know bout the naked woman in the cab...throwing the driver under the bus....nice pun but doubt it. He was convicted probably cause a group of parents screamed they want justice for their loved ones not caring who is at fault. Truckers are always held responsible
Kirk Righetti, I know the condition of my brakes ever day I operate my truck. So you speak of things I doubt you have an clue about. As for the naked lady in the truck as far as the world knows she might have lost her clothing in the crash, and I don't think you can say otherwise. In this case the DOT that inspected his truck that morning should be somewhat responsible, don't you think?
If any of my drivers were tagged with 8 out 10 brakes bad they'd be looking for a new job.
But the driver has the ability to say no until its repaired there for putting the blame on the driver however considering the truck was inspected should put the blame on the officer who did the inspection , and the driver could have requested then that the truck be put oos
Being a cab over tells me its the old 9/16 push in style slack adjusters put the box end on push down turn untill tight back of 1/4 not rocket science
Kim Kirby with that many bad brakes the park brakes wont even hold so how could he not know something was wrong
Dan Guise, best damn way to explain brake adjustment but it has a big flaw in it. I know because that was the instructions I received over the CB radio, 30 years ago, and that was the only time I have ever smoked a set of brakes, and this was on flat land. The man said tighten them down then back them off 1/4 turn. The problem was he never said how tight was tight, so when I backed them off that 1/4 turn, they were still dragging. I got it fixed correct by myself but sure learned a lot that day. So now don't always think something is as easy as it appears.
Faulty equipment ( bad brakes ) drivers responsible to report to company but also drivers responsible to not drive till fixed so that is both driver and company fault
Good he needs more time for all the life's he has taken from the families. As for his wife being naked in the truck when hit the school bus she at fault as well.
Any good driver would know if their brakes are bad. It's their responsibility to know.
Have you driven these roads...anything can brake on them....including brake lines that snap. It happens.
As a matter of fact, I've been in the transportation industry for over 25 years and I own a small trucking company. I am talking about this guy saying 8 out of 10 brakes being bad. Of course he knew. It's not possible to not know. I am aware that things can happen, but that was not the case here. You know when your brakes are bad and you don't drive. End of story.
How could you not know that your brakes are off if 8 out of 10 are out?
Kim Kirby, of course he knew, DOT told him that morning, but did not shut him down, just let him keep driving. So it's not ALL on the driver, now is it?
My point exactly. Everyone is trying to make excuses for him
Kim Kirby, and my point is, what happened to the DOT officials that let the truck keep moving?
You're right. What was the DOT thinking, but that doesn't excuse the driver from driving with bad breaks in the first place. If any of my guys got put out of service at an inspection with 8 out 10 brakes bad, they'd be looking for a new job.
Yes have u ever actually driven I own a small fleet of taxi's but I don't drive them it doesn't make me a taxi driver cause I drive a big truck
Just saying
My husband drives every day. I know what I am talking about. If you can't stop a big rig you can kill a lot of people. It's basically a rolling bomb. It's a much bigger responsibility. That's why pre-trips are MANDATORY. I've been in the transportation industry for over 20 years. I know what the regulations are. I'm responsible for my equipment but the driver is responsible for making sure that I am aware of issues. I EXPECT them to shut it down if it's unsafe BEFORE it can be an issue. It's called maintenance.
Just sayiny..just because I am not personally behind the wheel myself doesn't mean that I don't know what I am talking about.
Both he should have known better than to operate a unsafe cmv regardless rather it was his or a company owned vehicle Then to involve his wife/gf is just flat out ignorant but he chose to involve his woman while operating a unsafe vehicle so in my opinion he deserved it
All you need to adjust brake is a 9/16 wrench and a flat head screw driver and driver is certified. To do it because. If you have a cod you had to take a air brake test all was adjusted. My own brake on my simu
I like the fact when confronted by another driver that witnessed it and when he denied responsibility the witness punched him in the face lol best part of the article.
Lol yea it's pretty distracting when ur naked wife flies out of the sleeper into the cab during a wreck...just sayin
Ok well saw pictures of the driver and the crash. Now let's see this wife!
Lock his ass up he makes other truck drivers look bad out here that's where we got a bad name and your first self drivers like that don't respect the highway
No other driver can make another driver or profession, look bad. Unless the other driver is looking to look bad. Try taking responsibility for your own actions, and not pointing your finger at another driver and saying he made me look BAD. That's not how it works.
Any naked pics of wife..asking for a friens
Well whatever it was this driver is now FUCKED going to do some time 😱
People don't even get 20 years for Murder !! .... Lmao !
He didn't get 20 years, he got 5 years per victim, to be served continuity.
He got 20 years and credit for 500 days.
Keep your "pet" under control, your talleywhacker in your trousers, and your EYES ON THE ROAD, and do the rest of us a favor: Do your pre and post trips, so that the rest of us don't get blue-lighted and pulled over to waste 30-45 minutes of our time getting inspected just because some dumbass out there decided "not to worry about it"
Please explain what a "pre and post trips" are? Thanks
These are the safety inspections that the driver does before taking off down the road, and before he goes to bed / goes home, FEDERAL DOT LAW
Should have charged his wife as well
What for?
That would depend on where in the cab she was...
Says in the passenger seat. How about reading the article?
Robert Custer, after a crash like that I would bet they didn't find her in the passenger seat. What to take that bet?
Sort of have to be with Victor Collins on that...and yea the article says that but only way they would proof is a camera in cab. A crash like that, especially while proforming a "job" doubt she was buckled in.
They have eyewitness proof, one being another truck driver who confronted the idiot after the crash.
Someone just happened to be there huh...lol awesome
Robert Custer, and just what did this eyewitness have to say about the wife?
Why dont you read the article? Or is that too hard for your 3rd grade education?
Robert Custer if u haven't noticed well only speaking for myself I'm not being serious...you have to admit it's very odd. So much more to the article then the wife thing.
This is a picture of a Fucktard
NFI is the worst, never fixing anything and treat driver's
Even though the bus ran the stop sign
The bus didnt run a stop sign
My bad wrong accident. There was one near my home where the bus ran a stop sign and the truck t-boned the bus.they said his brakes was not working. Just hard to believe. I've been trucking over 32 years you know when your brakes don't work
WOW!!!
Both!
How about both?
Bwhahahaha
Bang bang Erma bang her all day long. Erma has a boyfriend. Boyfriend drives a truck, Erma likes to shift the gears her boyfriend likes to f#$%. Bang bang Erma.
Adriana Agosto
Freakin imbecil...the crash tore off her panties...ok 😒😒😒
Adriana Agosto, nobody ever said she was ever wearing any panties. Now did they?
Craig Vollmar
Patrick Christoff