Driver Facing Charges from Feb. Bus Crash on Soldiers Field Road

A Philadelphia tour bus driver faced charges Tuesday that stem from a February bus crash which left several passengers injured and one paralyzed.

Samuel J. Jackson, 67, was arraigned in Brighton District Court on one count of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, as well as the civil infractions of failing to obey a sign on a Department of Conservation and Recreation roadway and operating a bus on a DCR roadway, according to a statement by Jake Wark, spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley.

Jackson’s vehicle, a Cavalry Coach bus carrying Pennsylvania teens taking part in a non-profit leadership program at Harvard University, crashed into the Western Avenue Bridge on Solders Field Road in Brighton the night of Feb. 2. There were 42 passengers on the bus in total.

Jackson was not arrested, he was charged as result of a Massachusetts State Police investigation.

Investigators could not determine the speed of the bus when it struck the top of the bridge while travelling eastbound, but they noted an abundance of warning signs along Jackson’s route, including some illuminated by flashing lights, and hanging chains intended to notify drivers of the low clearance, according to the statement.

The Boston Globe reported that Jackson may have been looking at his GPS moments before the crash. 

Prosecutors did not request bail, nor was any imposed, according to the statement.

Jackson will return to court July 24.