MRT: Truck Driver Charged in Fatal School Bus Crash; Appeals Court Overturns Voter Fraud Conviction; AG Paxton Probes Boeing Supplier; Herrera Featured Nazi Imagery
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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MONDAY – 04/01/24
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TOP NEWS
“Truck driver charged in fatal school bus crash,” San Antonio Express-News' Liz Teitz -- “The truck driver accused of causing a school bus crash that killed two people is now facing a homicide charge, according to Bastrop County court records.
Jerry Hernandez, 42, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, records show. The charge was filed Friday, one week after the crash that killed 5-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya and Ryan Wallace, 33.
The charge is classified as a state jail felony, which is punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
Hernandez was arrested Friday, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. He also was arrested on an unrelated warrant for a bond violation from Hays County, DPS said. Court records show Hernandez was charged in January with criminal mischief and assault-family violence. An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday.
Hernandez was the driver of the concrete pump truck that struck a Hays Consolidated Independent School District bus that was driving on Texas 21 in Bastrop County, DPS confirmed.
Wallace, a Bastrop resident and graduate student at the University of Texas, was driving a 2024 Hyundai behind the bus and also was hit by the concrete truck, Texas DPS Sgt. Deon Cockrell said. The agency previously said it was unclear whether Wallace’s vehicle collided with the bus or the truck after the initial crash.
According to a search warrant obtained by Austin television station KEYE, Hernandez told an officer after the crash that he smoked marijuana about 10 p.m. the night before the crash, slept for about three hours, then consumed cocaine about 1 a.m. The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. that day.
DPS confirmed that a search warrant was issued for a blood specimen from Hernandez after the crash.
The bus was carrying 44 preschoolers from Buda’s Tom Green Elementary, along with 11 adults.
Dashcam video released by the district Thursday shows the truck veer out of its lane and over the centerline about three seconds before striking the bus. The bus rolled over before coming to a stop on its side." SAEN
AP: “Texas judge moves late fee case in D.C. accusing banks of venue shopping for favorable ruling” AP
AP: “Texas appeals court overturns voter fraud conviction for woman on probation” AP
HOU CHRON: “Houston named one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S.” Houston Chronicle
DMN: “Texas court blocks child abuse investigations into parents of transgender kids” DMN
HOUSTON LANDING: “Whitmire replaces Rhea Lawson, longtime Houston Public Library director, amid morale woes” Houston Landing
SAEN: “Fire union 'underwhelmed' by city offer of 20% raise over 5 years” SAEN
KXAN: “Concerns rise over trash in creeks during discussion of Austin's 'Environmental Investment Plan'” KXAN
FW REPORT: “Fort Worth Chamber takes flight anew with focus on advocacy, engagement” Fort Worth Report
JEWISH INSIDER: “Rep. Gonzales' right-wing GOP challenger posted videos featuring Nazi imagery, songs, jokes” Jewish Insider
EXTRA POINTS
The weekend's Texas sports scores:
Fri
> MLB: Yankees 7, Astros 1 Hou Chron
> NBA: Rockets 101, Jazz 100 Hou Chron
> NCAAM: #4 Duke 54, #1 Houston 51 Hou Chron
> NBA: Mavericks 107, Kings 103 DMN
> NBA: Spurs 130, Knicks 126 SAEN
> NCAAW: #1 Texas 69, #4 Gonzaga 47 AP
Sat
> NCAAW: #1 USC 74, #5 Baylor Waco Trib
> NHL: Stars 3, Kraken 0 DMN
> MLS: FC Austin 2, FC Dallas 1 DMN
> MLS: Houston 2, San Jose 1 Houston Chronicle
Sun
> MLB: Cubs 9, Rangers 5 DMN
> Yankees 5, Astros 3 Houston Chronicle
> NBA: Mavericks 125, Rockets 107 Houston Chronicle DMN
> NBA: Warriors 117, Spurs 115 AP
> NCAAW: #3 N.C. State 76, #1 Texas 66 AAS
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 5:50pm: MLB: Rangers at Rays
> 7:10pm: MLB: Blue Jays at Astros
PGA TOUR: “Houston Open: Tony Finau matches his course-record 62" Houston Chronicle
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: “Sochan could miss rest of season after suffering ankle injury" SAEN
UFL: “San Antonio Brahmas open UFL season with win over D.C. Defenders" SAEN