On Monday, a court hearing is set for the concrete pump truck driver involved in the deadly crash with a Hays CISD bus back in March, reports KXAN. The incident claimed the lives of two individuals: 5-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, a bus passenger, and 33-year-old Ryan Wallace, the driver of a car following the bus. The bus, returning from a field trip, was carrying 44 pre-K students from Tom Green Elementary and 11 adults when it collided with the concrete pumper truck on State Highway 21.

According to a statement obtained by CBS Austin, the driver, Jerry Hernandez, 42, admitted to having smoked marijuana the night before and consuming cocaine on the morning of the tragedy. These admissions raise concerns, as shared by Crash/Accident Investigator and former Fort Worth Police Officer, Lee Jackson, who commented on the driver's limited sleep and substance use. Furthermore, Hernandez has a history of traffic violations, including a 2006 charge for driving without a license.

The bus involved did not have seat belts, a fact which has prompted Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright to state that the school district would be "accelerating" the process of replacing such buses, as per KXAN. This court appearance marks the first since the crash took place on March 22, with the investigation still in progress.

As the case unfolds, Lee Jackson underscored the gravity of the situation, saying to CBS Austin, "This should not have happened and there are families that are really seriously hurting right now." The analysis of crash data from the vehicles' engines remains an essential part of reconstructing the events that led to the fatal collision. Despite Hernandez's claim of swerving to avoid a suddenly braking vehicle, witness statements, and video evidence have not corroborated his account, casting doubt on his version of events.