Bus Driver Charged In February Soldiers Field Road Crash
BOSTON (CBS) - The driver of the tour bus that struck a bridge overpass on Soldiers Field Road in February is now facing criminal charges.
State Police announced Tuesday they have charged Samuel J. Jackson, 67, of Philadelphia, with driving negligently to endanger. He is also charged with civil violations of failing to obey a sign on a Department of Conservation and Recreation roadway and driving a bus on a DCR roadway.
Jackson has been summonsed to Boston Municipal Court in Brighton.
State Police say he failed to heed warning signs which prohibit buses from the stretch of road where the bus crashed.
Police also say during the investigation, they found the bus did not slow down as it entered the tunnel.
Thirty-five people were injured in the crash. One man had serious back and neck injuries and was recently released from a Boston hospital.
The 42 passengers on board, ranging in age from teenagers to adults, were from a Bristol, Pennsylvania youth program called Destined for a Dream.
Destined for a Dream was founded by 2008 Olympic track and field medalist Erica Waller-Hill.
