MENU
SEARCHIn related news, former school bus driver Johnthony Walker is sentenced to four years in prison for the 2016 Chattanooga crash.
NTSB says its new report “examines selective issues in school bus transportation safety” discovered in the 2016 Chattanooga (pictured) and Baltimore crash investigations. Photo courtesy NTSB
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will share findings from two fatal school bus crashes in a meeting next month, the agency announced on Monday.
NTSB has prepared a special investigation report that examines the November 2016 school bus crashes in Baltimore, Maryland, and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In the Baltimore crash, a school bus struck a car and a pillar, entered oncoming traffic, and hit the driver’s side of a transit bus. The drivers of both buses and four transit bus passengers were killed. No students were aboard the school bus at the time.
In the Chattanooga crash, investigators determined that the school bus departed the roadway to the right, took out a mailbox, veered to the left, struck a utility pole, and then crashed on its side into a tree. Six students were killed and more than 30 were injured.
In related news, former school bus driver Johnthony Walker was sentenced on Tuesday to four years in prison for his role in the Chattanooga crash. He was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and more than two dozen lesser charges in March.
In both the Chattanooga and Baltimore incidents, questions were raised about the qualifications and past performance of the school bus drivers.
In a press release on Monday, NTSB said that its special investigative report on the two crashes “examines selective issues in school bus transportation safety discovered during the NTSB’s investigation.” The agency said that the report will detail the probable cause of each crash.
On May 22 at 9:30 a.m., NTSB will hold a meeting in which the agency’s board will consider the report.
“Despite the overall safety of school buses, the NTSB continues to investigate school bus crashes in which fatalities and injuries occur,” the agency said in the press release. “By combining both investigations into one comprehensive report, the NTSB is able to focus on specific areas of concern found in both crashes, which allows the agency to highlight where recommendations are needed to continue to improve school bus transportation safety.”
The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in NTSB’s board room and conference center at 420 10th St. SW in Washington, D.C. A link to a live webcast of the meeting will be available shortly before the start of the meeting at ntsb.capitolconnection.org.
Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.
Read More →
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.
Read More →
From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.
Read More →
Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.
Read More →
A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.
Read More →
Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.
Read More →
The federal agency's proposed rulemaking would eliminate the requirement for school buses to come to a complete stop at railroad crossings if the warning device is not activated. The goal: to improve traffic flow and save costs. With new data released, public comment is open through April 27, 2026.
Read More →
