On the way back from Woodmore Elementary School in Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 21st, tragedy struck. Instead of kids returning safely for Thanksgiving, many came home seriously injured, and unfortunately, some not at all. These victims were all between ages six to ten, and the bus driver who was given charge of them is twenty-four-year old Johnothy Walker. On the bus-route home, Walker crashed into a tree at very high speeds, causing the bus to split in half, hence the fatalities and serious injuries.

But could all of this have been avoided? That is the question asked in the article, " Complaints preceded fatal school bus crash," by CNN writer Max Blau. Apparently it was cited that children and parents have made complaints about Walker's reckless driving before. It states in the article, "A principal expressed concern about Johnthony Walker's driving twice in the weeks before the crash, students claimed he was trying to injure them... he had cursed at children and tried to hurt them with his driving..." (Blau).

My immediate question is, why was this problem not addressed right away? If kids' lives are potentially in danger, shouldn't it be the school's immediate concern for the safety of their children? Technically, when the students are under school supervision (whether that be in the physical building or not) they are the school's responsibility. If one of the school's employees is being reported as reckless and potentially abusive, isn't that a priority over other educational matters? Of course the students' education is very important, but if they are scared for their safety while traveling to and from school--with good reason, as the horrible event showed--how can they learn well?

Johnothy Walker " faces multiple vehicular homicide charges, as well as charges of reckless endangerment and reckless driving" (Blau). Even if Walker is put behind bars, I feel like justice is not quite served. I feel as though the school should take some responsibility for the crash, for they decided to ignore the pleas of their community. And by doing so, are also partially responsible for the deaths and injuries of the students and emotional trauma experienced by the town as a whole.

If you want to read more about the crash, go here.