Geraldine Johnson, a former bus driver with the Detroit Department of Transportation who was involved in a fatal accident in June 2023, has been sentenced to six months in jail following a history of traffic incidents that includes 19 crashes over her 26-year career. The 61-year-old driver hit and killed 67-year-old Janice Bauer, a Grosse Pointe Park resident, who was crossing the street in downtown Detroit. This accident marked Johnson's second fatal incident while operating a city bus.
In addition to her jail sentence, Johnson was ordered to serve two years on probation, as per the ruling of Judge Lynise Bryant from the 36th District Court. Johnson had entered a no-contest plea for the misdemeanor charge of moving violation causing death in August, resulting in her sentencing yesterday, according to The Detroit News. Upon completion of her six-month jail term, conditions of her probation include refraining from alcohol, submitting to random drug tests, performing 15 days of community service, and attending a driver's improvement program.
The courtroom revelation of Johnson's accident-prone history raised questions about employment policies and union contracts within the city's transportation department. The city claimed it was unable to dismiss Johnson after her first fatal accident in 2015 due to a union contract clause preventing disciplinary action against employees off the job for more than 18 months, as reported by Metro Times. The 2015 incident, which also involved a death, resulted in a $4.5 million settlement with the victim’s family.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy expressed the gravity of the situation stating, “This case is tragic on every level. Janice Bauer lost her life. The alleged facts are that defendant, Geraldine Johnson, literally ran her over with the city bus she was driving and caused her death,” in a statement, as per WWJ Newsradio. The ongoing litigation, filed on behalf of Bauer's family, targets not only the city but also the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26, citing a collective responsibility in Johnson's retention and supervision.
