Trucker gets prison term for crash that killed bus driver
In the July 2012 incident in New York, authorities said that Raymond Ragen crashed his cement truck into an overpass and then collided head-on with a small school bus. The bus driver was killed, and an attendant and four children were injured.
MINEOLA, N.Y. — A cement truck driver was sentenced on Thursday to five to 15 years in prison for a crash that killed a school bus driver and injured several others.
The incident happened on the afternoon of July 23, 2012. Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said that Raymond Ragen, 46, was driving a 13-foot, 3-inch high cement truck weighing nearly 40,000 pounds in Matinecock, New York, when he crashed into a 10-foot, 1-inch high Long Island Rail Road overpass.
The force of the crash sent the cement truck careening into oncoming traffic, where it collided head-on with a small school bus carrying special-needs children home from summer camp.
The bus driver, 45-year-old Jorge Guevara, suffered extensive internal injuries and had one of his legs nearly amputated. He was alive for about 30 minutes inside the bus while emergency responders attempted to sustain and revive him. Guevara died from his injuries while still pinned inside the bus.
A 64-year-old man serving as a bus attendant suffered multiple fractures, including a broken and dislocated hip and a fractured wrist.
Three of the four children on the bus suffered minor injuries. The fourth suffered a fractured jaw and lacerations on his face and body.
Ragen, the truck driver, was arrested after an extensive investigation. Authorities said that the GPS data from the cement truck revealed that Ragen was aware that his truck would not fit beneath the overpass because he had driven up to the bridge a few hours earlier and had been forced to make a U-turn.
In April, Ragen was convicted of manslaughter in the second degree (a C felony) and assault in the second degree (a D felony). He was acquitted of aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, and assault in the second degree.
“The irreparable damage caused by Mr. Ragen’s reckless actions will never be erased,” said Rice, the district attorney. “Though nothing will bring back Mr. Guevara to his family, this sentence will ensure that this defendant will be held accountable for the pain and suffering he inflicted upon his victims that day.”
More Safety

2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing
New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year.
Read More →
Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York
A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.
Read More →
NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners
Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.
Read More →
The Driver Shortage Playbook
Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.
Read More →
Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
