A former Washington County bus driver charged with 39 counts of reckless aggravated assault after crashing her bus filled with high school students last September will seek judicial diversion in a plea arrangement, meaning the charges could be wiped from her record.
Brenda Gray, 54, was arraigned on the charges Friday in Washington County Criminal Court. She appeared with a new attorney, Michael LaGuardi, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Judge Robert Cupp said a preliminary background report on Gray indicates she has no prior criminal record.
LaGuardia said he will file a request with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for a more in-depth background search to obtain a diversion certificate.
“We’ll move for (judicial) diversion,” LaGuardia said.
The bus crash happened Sept. 20 on Mount Wesley Road as Gray was starting her after-school route from David Crockett High School.
Gray ran off the road and the bus overturned, injuring all 39 students on board. Tennessee Highway Patrol traffic investigators determined Gray was speeding and at fault for the crash.
Investigators believe she was driving between 52 and 60 mph — nearly twice the 30 mph speed limit — when she went off the left side, then overcorrected and went off the right side of the road. The bus then turned over and rolled once as it slid to a stop.
Gray’s high school-age son was one of the students on the bus with less serious injuries.
A state trooper said Gray reported she was distracted by students just before she ran off the road. Students on the bus reported that Gray asked if they wanted to “lose their stomachs” as the bus topped a hill just before the wreck.
If convicted, Gray would face two to four years on each felony count. The full sentence range is two to 12 years, but the higher sentences only apply to a person with previous convictions.
Judicial diversion would mean the charges would be removed from her record after a prescribed amount of probationary time. A judge would have to make that decision.
Gray is free on a $50,000 bond while the case is pending.
RedXVI writes:
March 1, 2013
1:39 PM
I'm very neutral when it comes to this. While I believe injuring those students was a little too far, what is also known is that students habitually disrespect and anger the bus drivers. The wonders of what the belt could do to kids anymore.
luckynumber5 writes:
March 1, 2013
10:15 PM
Right because scaring children and beating them assures that they will be responsible caring adults. Violence only brings about more violence, you are dealing with children who can not fully comprehend cause and effect yet you threaten with pain and humiliation if they do not. You cant force maturity onto a child, it comes with time. Positive parenting, take a note. And I was an 80s kid who parents certainly didn't "spare the rod."
MFFB writes:
March 2, 2013
7:41 AM
Interesting twist. It was reported earlier that "some" students heard her saying something about hold on to your stomachs. This would lead one to speculate that she had planned to go fast so the kids would experience some anti-g's going over the hills. That would not be an accident.
concernedforAmerica writes:
March 3, 2013
5:03 PM
The intent here seems to be to entertain the kids somewhat. Reckless, careless, for sure, But no criminal intent, other than breaking the speed limit. This lady may have actually gotten along with and liked the kids. Plus, her own son was on there with her! She will have to carry this for the rest of her life and if she really did care for those kids it will be that much harder. Some people are trying to make her out as some wicked witch of the north. It is a very tragic result of poor judgement. I know none of those involved but I feel for them all.
MannyCalavera writes:
March 4, 2013
6:16 AM
I don't think she should go to prison, or have a criminal record that prevents her from working in the future. She had an accident, many drivers do. Her life need not be ruined for a job that pays as close to nothing as you can get and involves being habitually disrespected by ingrate children and hill folk public alike.
provided.