SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NTSB Still Seeking Probable Cause of Chattanooga School Bus Crash

The agency releases a preliminary report with a few new details, including confirmation that the driver had been in two school bus crashes since the start of the school year.

Thomas McMahon
Thomas McMahonExecutive Editor
January 19, 2017
NTSB Still Seeking Probable Cause of Chattanooga School Bus Crash

NTSB’s preliminary report on the Chattanooga crash offers a few new details, including confirmation that the driver had been in two school bus crashes since the start of the school year. Photo courtesy NTSB

2 min to read


NTSB’s preliminary report on the Chattanooga crash offers a few new details, including confirmation that the driver had been in two school bus crashes since the start of the school year.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report with a few new details on the recent fatal school bus crash in Chattanooga, Tennessee, including confirmation that the driver had been in two earlier crashes since the start of the school year.

After having wrapped up its on-scene work in Chattanooga in early December, NTSB is continuing to analyze the incident at its headquarters in Washington. At this point, the agency has not identified a probable cause of the crash.

Ad Loading...

“All aspects of the crash remain under investigation as the NTSB seeks to determine the probable cause, with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar crashes,” the agency said in the preliminary report.

Much of the information in the preliminary report has already been released by investigators. Six students were killed and 31 were injured in the Nov. 21 crash in Chattanooga. The school bus driver, Johnthony Walker, 24, received minor injuries. The bus, a 2008 Thomas Built 84-passenger Type D model, was operated by Durham School Services.

The crash occurred on a two-lane road with a 30 mph speed limit and an advisory speed of 25 mph for curves. According to NTSB’s preliminary report, Walker lost control of the bus and departed the roadway to the left as he passed the second of two curves. The bus then hit a utility pole, overturned, and crashed into a tree, which caused the roof of the bus to collapse inward.

NTSB does not give any indication of the speed of the bus in its preliminary report, but police in Tennessee have estimated that it was traveling at about 50 mph.

Walker had been employed with Durham since April 2016. NTSB said that at the time of the crash, he was licensed and had a current commercial driver medical certificate. His preliminary toxicology test results were negative for alcohol and illicit drugs.

Ad Loading...

NTSB said that since the beginning of the school year in August, Walker had had one reportable crash and one non-reportable crash — both while operating school buses. NTSB’s preliminary report also reiterates a previously stated finding that Walker had apparently deviated from his normal route when the November crash occurred. Why the school bus driver may have been off route remains unclear.

Meanwhile, NTSB investigators are continuing to collect and analyze evidence from multiple systems on the bus that were capable of recording and transmitting event-related data.

The agency’s preliminary report is available here.

More Safety

Graphic for an opinion article on illegal school bus passing. A school bus with its stop arm extended is stopped as children cross the street, while a black SUV drives past. Headline reads, “America’s School Bus Blind Spot.” School Bus Fleet branding appears in the corner.
SafetyJune 8, 2026

America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse

Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.

Read More →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a school bus on a New York street and text reading "Legislative Roundup May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 29, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate

Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.

Read More →
hopskipdrive whitepaper
SponsoredMay 26, 2026

The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation

Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Emergency response personnel assist participants evacuating through the rear emergency door of a yellow school bus during a hands-on safety training exercise at Prosper ISD. Smoke fills the bus interior as responders demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 21, 2026

Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas

Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.

Read More →
BusPatrol cameras on the side of a school bus.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsMay 6, 2026

Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards

After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.

Read More →
A group of people in business attire pose for a photo in front of a school bus, with text reading "Legislative Roundup: May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 6, 2026

School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes

From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic with part of a school bus and text reading "Fatal Accident in Brooklyn."
Safetyby StaffMay 5, 2026

9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection

A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.

Read More →
A blue and white graphic with text reading "2026 Safety & Operations Report" with an image of the cover of the report.
Safetyby StaffMay 4, 2026

Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes

The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.

Read More →
an overturned school bus on a roadway after an accident
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 24, 2026

NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation

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 →
Ad Loading...
zonar system image
SponsoredApril 20, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

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 →