MENU
SEARCHInvestigators find that school bus driver James Davenport was distracted by texting during the time leading up to the Dec. 2 crash that killed three. Davenport died on June 1.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A school bus driver in a fatal crash here in December was sending and receiving text messages, investigators found.
The Knoxville Police Department has been investigating the Dec. 2 crash, in which two students and an aide were killed. James Davenport’s bus made a sharp left turn, crossed over a concrete median and struck another school bus.
On Friday, the Knoxville Police Department released a statement with its findings from the investigation, which included numerous interviews, analysis of evidence and consultation with bus crash experts.
“The results of the investigation [have] shown that the driver of bus #44, Mr. Davenport, was driving while distracted due to sending and receiving text messages,” police officials said. “Multiple text messages had been sent and received during the time leading up to the crash.”
As the investigation was drawing to a close, Davenport died on June 1. He was 48.
Davenport was injured in the December crash, but it was not yet clear whether his death was related to those injuries. Medical examiners are conducting an autopsy.
Police turned the investigative file over to the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office. Kyle Hixson, deputy district attorney general, told reporters in a press conference recorded by WBIR that Davenport’s passing precluded criminal charges against him.
“Due to Mr. Davenport’s death, there will be no criminal prosecution stemming from the case of the fatal bus crash,” Hixson said.
Police investigators have been meeting with the crash victims’ family members over the past two days to share the results of the investigation with them.
“This has been a very difficult procedure for all involved,” Knoxville Police Department officials said, “and hopefully, this has provided the families another step in their healing process.”
Driverless cars may feel the future, but student transportation requires more than navigation. Here’s why it demands human judgment, empathy, and oversight.
Read More →
An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.
Read More →
The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.
Read More →
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.
Read More →
As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.
Read More →
What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.
Read More →
A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.
Read More →
$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.
Read More →
After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.
Read More →
