A school bus from Hays CISD involved in a tragic rollover crash in Bastrop County, which resulted in the deaths of a pre-K student and another driver, has shed light on the lack of seat belts in older model buses. KXAN reports that the bus, a 2011 model, was not equipped with seat belts, which are not mandated due to its manufacture date being before a 2017 Texas law requiring them. In an accident that saw a concrete truck colliding with the bus and a subsequent vehicle rear-ending the bus, over 50 others were injured alongside the fatalities.
According to Tim Savoy, Hays CISD Chief Communication Officer, approximately 40 of the district's 200 buses lack seat belts because they were acquired before the 2017 seat belt law. Appearing to feel adequately protected despite the lack of restraints, a Hays CISD sixth grader, Jeremy Guerra, told KXAN, "I think they should have seatbelts for the little kids and also the big kids you know to protect us, but I think they’re still safe. I have had a good experience with them."
The accident has sparked concerns among parents, with many ready to address the issue of bus safety at a now-canceled Hays CISD Board of Trustees meeting. One parent, Megan Owens, indicated her eagerness to ask how many buses are without seat belts and the cost of retrofitting them, according to KXAN. Owens also mentioned, "Once we get that dollar figure from the district, we plan to establish a GoFundMe page to start raising that money."
In the wake of the crash, a GoFundMe has been set up to support the families affected by the tragedy. Information on the fundraising effort can be found linked on KVUE's website. Memorials at the crash site and outside Tom Green Elementary have emerged as the community mourns, consisting of flowers, stuffed animals, and balloons. While the district reckons with the implications of the tragedy, the crisis continues to underline the importance of updated safety measures for children's daily conveyance.
