Report: School Bus Driver in Fatal Texas Crash Properly Stopped at Tracks
John Stevens stopped his bus before the railroad tracks as state law requires and then pulled forward before being struck by a freight train, according to the crash report. One student was killed in the crash.
ATHENS, Texas — The crash report released by police on the Jan. 25 collision between a freight train and a school bus that killed one student finds that the bus driver stopped before the railroad crossing, KETK reports.
The report from the Athens Police Department states that the bus driver, John Stevens, 78, stopped right before the tracks as state law requires, and then pulled forward, according to the news source. At that point, as SBF previously reported, the bus was struck on its left side by a Union Pacific train, became lodged onto the locomotive, and then the bus and train traveled about one-quarter of a mile down the railroad tracks. One student, Christopher Bonilla, 13, was killed, and another student, Joselyne Torres, 9, was critically injured. The bus driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The train had driven around a curve, which made it difficult to see, according to KETK.
Police told the news source that the bus hit several signs and railroad gates as it was being pushed down the tracks, causing further damage.
The crash report is being sent to the Henderson County District Attorney, KETK reports, and it is unclear whether charges will be filed.
More Safety

How to Build a Better School Bus Driver Training Program
Is it time to strengthen your driver training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety. This video is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
Recent School Bus Accidents Leave 2 Dead, 2 Injured
Four school bus crashes in Florida, Illinois, and Georgia highlight risks in transportation lots, at bus stops, and during student loading and unloading.
Read More →
When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving
From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.
Read More →
What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help
School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.
Read More →
Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents
Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.
Read More →
Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.
Read More →
Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty
With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.
Read More →
Walton County Schools Adds Gatekeeper Stop-Arm Enforcement System
The Florida district will deploy Gatekeeper’s updated Student Protector technology, which now incorporates AI to improve video evidence.
Read More →
How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →

