Roy Gonyea Died In School Bus Accident While Riding Motorcycle In Front of Hooks Junior High School Along Farm to Market Road 560
HOOKS, TEXAS (February 24, 2023) – Roy Gonyea was killed in a Hook school bus accident while riding a motorcycle by Hooks Junior High School on Farm to Market Road 560.
Bowie County officials are saying that the collision took place on Tuesday. Roy Gonyea was riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle when he was hit by a school bus turning into a school parking lot.
After the initial collision, the victim was then hit by a Ford F-350 pickup truck. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Despite life-saving measures, Roy Gonyea died due to the severity of his injuries. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Hooks School Bus Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in bus accidents. According to The Journalist Resource, “on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury.” Buses tend to be very safe for their passengers. But they can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians and those in smaller vehicles. There are a number of steps that bus companies can take to help prevent accidents.
- Bus companies should ensure that their drivers are well trained.
- Bus companies should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained.
- Bus companies should properly vet every potential driver that they hire.
School bus drivers will need to get a commercial driver’s license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Many bus collisions are due to bus drivers that make dangerous turns. Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code 545.103, the operator of a vehicle may not turn to enter a private road or driveway or move right or left upon a roadway unless such a movement can be made with reasonable safety. If a bus driver turns into the path of a motorcyclist, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
When a bus driver is negligent and causes a fatal collision, their employer could be held at fault. In general, companies are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a school bus driver may have been dropping off children when they were involved in a collision. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any school bus accident.
- Surveillance footage of the crash should be sought.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
Evidence is what will ultimately be necessary to demonstrate liability for any collision. The family of any person that died in a bus accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, bus companies will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any fatal collision.
Investigating A Hooks School Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Roy Gonyea. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened for the sake of the victim’s family. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other collisions like this.
Do you need more information about a Hooks school bus accident? Our team of motorcycle safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
