SAN MARCOS, TX - Early reports show a sleeping driver may have been the cause in last Friday's early morning bus crash.
The accident, located just North of San Marcos on Interstate 35 sent 18 people to nearby hospitals including a four-year-old girl whose leg was amputated. Doctors at Dell Children's Medical Center say the girl is in good condition and recovering.
Wednesday morning San Marcos Police Department released the state accident report. Officers state they believe the bus driver, 44-year-old Jesus Basio-Ramirez fell asleep at the wheel. The bus traveled off pavement and hit a sign causing Basio-Ramirez to over-correct and lose control.
Tuesday in Dallas County, Rosa Moreno, the mother of the child who lost her leg, filed a civil suit against Mares Bus Line. Both Moreno and her daughter were on board the bus headed from Laredo to Dallas when it overturned on I-35.
Moreno's attorney says driver logs and Mare's Bus Line safety procedures should answer important questions.
Federal rules state bus drivers may only drive for ten hours during a 15 hour shift. Eight hours of rest are required before a driver can get back behind a wheel. A review of Mares Bus Lines by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected to be completed this week.
