SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Prosecutors Allege School Bus Driver in Fatal Tennessee Crash Was on Phone

New information indicates that the driver in the November 2016 Chattanooga crash took a phone call at the time, prosecutors say.

December 20, 2017
Prosecutors Allege School Bus Driver in Fatal Tennessee Crash Was on Phone

New information indicates Johnthony Walker, the school bus driver charged in a fatal November 2016 crash, took a phone call at the time, prosecutors say. Photo courtesy Chattanooga Fire Department

2 min to read


New information indicates Johnthony Walker, the school bus driver charged in a fatal November 2016 crash, took a phone call at the time, prosecutors say. Photo courtesy Chattanooga Fire Department

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Prosecutors alleged on Tuesday that new information indicates a school bus driver charged in connection with a November 2016 crash that killed six children took a phone call at the time, Chattanooga Times Free Press reports.

As previously reported, Johnthony Walker allegedly was speeding and lost control of his bus, which left the road and hit a utility pole, overturned, and crashed into a tree, causing the roof of the bus to collapse inward. In addition to the fatalities, 31 children were injured in the crash, and Walker received minor injuries. He was indicted on six counts of vehicular homicide, and was also charged with four counts of reckless aggravated assault, one count of reckless endangerment, one count of reckless driving, and one count of use of a portable electronic device by a school bus driver.

The updated information comes from the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB's) review of Walker's phone records, Melydia Clewell, spokeswoman for District Attorney General Neal Pinkston, told the newspaper. Pinkston said in court that Walker received a call at 3:17 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2016, which lasted nearly four minutes. He added that the first 911 call about the crash came in at 3:20 p.m., according to Chattanooga Times Free Press. According to previous testimony in December 2016, Walker had his phone out on the bus at some point, but until Tuesday, prosecutors had not alleged when or how Walker used the device, the newspaper reports.

The NTSB’s report may change as officers make suggestions internally. NTSB spokesman Christopher O’Neil told Chattanooga Times Free Press last week that the NTSB will vote to release the final report at a public hearing, which is tentatively scheduled between April and June.

Judge Don Poole said no phone records will come into evidence until attorneys have a hearing on the issue. He scheduled the hearing for Feb. 5, according to the newspaper. Walker is scheduled to stand trial on Feb. 27.

To read the full story, go here.

More Safety

An orange and white graphic with the cover of HopSkipDrive's 2025 Safety Report and text reading "Seventh Annual Safety Report."
Safetyby StaffMarch 18, 2026

What’s Behind HopSkipDrive’s Near-Perfect Safety Record in 2025?

The alternative transportation provider’s 2025 Safety Report highlights 99.7% incident-free rides, 130 million safe miles, and more.

Read More →
Buyers Guide and Directory thumbnail
SponsoredMarch 13, 2026

2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide

Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.

Read More →
Portrait of Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., assistant dean and psychology professor at New Mexico State University, featured in a Child Safety Network leadership announcement graphic.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMarch 6, 2026

Child Safety Network Taps Dr. Michael C. Hout to Combat School Bus Stop-Arm Runners

Child Safety Network appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
The 5th-generation Waymo Driver on the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE.
Safetyby StaffMarch 5, 2026

NTSB Determines Human Error Led to Waymo’s Illegal School Bus Passing

Investigators reported a remote assistance error allowed a Waymo driverless vehicle to illegally pass a stopped school bus in Austin.

Read More →
The side of a school bus with a retracted stop signal.
Safetyby Elora HaynesMarch 4, 2026

National Action Plan Aims to End Illegal School Bus Passings Across the U.S.

See how a new 50-state roadmap outlines 69 strategies for districts, law enforcement, and policymakers to reduce the 39 million illegal school bus passings reported each year.

Read More →
A school bus graphic with text reading "Iowa Student Killed, 14 Injured in Oklahoma Bus Crash."
Safetyby StaffMarch 3, 2026

11-Year-Old Student Dies After Falling Under School Bus

Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
school bus driver
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner

Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.

Read More →
Graphic of a yellow school bus above the headline “The Real Cost of Downtime,” with icons illustrating overtime costs, frustrated parents and administrators, repair expenses, and route delays, emphasizing the operational and financial impact of communication failures in school transportation fleets.
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

The Real Cost of Bus Fleet Downtime

When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.

Read More →
Graphic showing the EverDriven logo and “SafeOps Council Launches” text over an image of a vehicle driving on a curved road, with School Bus Fleet branding in the corner.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 25, 2026

EverDriven Launches New Council to Standardize Safety Across 36 States

EverDriven has launched a new safety council aimed at standardizing and strengthening student transportation practices across all states it operates in.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a photo of a school bus driving down a suburban street with houses in the background and green grass pictured
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 23, 2026

Thomas Built Buses Awards “If You Pass” Safety Campaign Funds to Ga. District

The OEM's three-week campaign during National School Bus Safety Week has awarded nearly $6,000 to Bryan County Schools to support increasing student safety around the bus.

Read More →