ATHENS, Texas — The school bus driver who was involved in a crash with a train here in January that killed a student has been arrested and indicted for criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child.
As SBF previously reported, on Jan. 25, John Stevens was driving his bus when he approached a railroad crossing and came to a stop, but then continued across the tracks directly in front of a westbound Union Pacific train, according to the Athens Police Department. The bus was impacted on its left side and became lodged on the locomotive. The train and bus then traveled about one-quarter of a mile down the track before coming to a stop at Murchison St. crossing.
Christopher Bonilla, 13, one of the two students aboard the bus, was ejected and died as a result of his injuries, police said. The other student on board, Joselyne Torres, 9, was trapped inside the bus, had to be extricated, and was critically injured. Stevens was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Although no automated arms or warning lights were in place at the crossing, crossbuck and yield signs were posted there, police said. A witness to the crash reported hearing the train’s horn as it approached the intersection.
The Athens Police Department released a report in February, as SBF previously reported, that states that Stevens stopped right before the tracks as state law requires, and then pulled forward. It was at that point that the bus was struck by the train. The report was sent to the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, according to KETK.
Stevens was arrested on Monday, CBS DFW reports. He was charged by two separate indictments by a grand jury, according to a statement, obtained by KLTV, from District Attorney Mark Hall’s Office. The charges are listed as injury to a child causing serious bodily injury and manslaughter/criminally negligent homicide, according to the statement. An arraignment date has not been set yet.
School Bus Driver Involved in Bus-Train Crash Indicted
John Stevens of Texas is arrested and indicted for criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child in connection with a crash with a train in January that killed a student.
More Safety

New York 5-Year-Old Killed by School Bus, Investigation Ongoing
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 →
Prevent School Bus Dragging Incidents: Anti-Pinch Door Sensors and Maine’s New Mandate
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 →
8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations
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 →
Survey: Most Parents Want Automated Enforcement on School Buses
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 →
State Grant Program Advances School Bus Safety Upgrades Across Ohio
$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.
Read More →
Waymo Scrutiny Intensifies as NTSB Launches Investigation
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 →
Transportant Debuts First Full-Color Stop Arm Camera for School Buses
Transportant introduced a next-generation stop arm camera designed to improve image quality and reliability for documenting illegal school bus passings.
Read More →3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers
Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.
Read More →
New Mexico District Receives $2.7M Grant to Expand Walking School Bus Programs
See how a federal grant will help Albuquerque Public Schools expand supervised walking routes and improve student safety.
Read More →
Florida Inventor Creates Retractable 10-Foot Stop-Arm
A newly developed school bus safety device introduces a retractable barrier designed to deter illegal passing during student loading and unloading.
Read More →
