A Kansas City Area Transit Authority (ATA) bus was involved in a tragic accident earlier this week in which a pedestrian was struck and killed. A surveillance video released by the transit authority establishes clearly that the driver was not at fault in the incident and that the accident could not have been avoided.
The 21-year old bus driver was marking her first day on the job when the victim, 40-year old Charles Turman, suddenly ran in front of her bus. The incident took place on Intestate 35 above the I-29 split. The bus was carrying thirty-nine passengers at the time, including a pregnant woman who asked for medical attention. It was later determined that no injuries were sustained to either her or her child.
The surveillance video reveals that Mr. Turman was walking on the shoulder of the highway headed north before suddenly darting in front of the ATA bus. Witnesses to the accident had indicated that there was no way that the driver could have stopped the bus quickly enough to avoid hitting the man. The bus’ onboard video system confirmed their statements.
Jennifer Sisk was driving home fom work when she witnessed the accident and said that she pulled over to offer aid to the victim, but he died shortly after having been struck.
The victim’s ex-wife, Jeanette Mitchell, said that Turman had just been released from the Linn County Jail a few months ago and was on his way to visit her and their children. She indicated that he had also spent time at a psychiatric hospital where he was treated for bipolar disorder. She guessed that he may have been attempting to hitch-hike to her home.
Officers from the Missouri Highway Patrol who were on the scene indicated that Turman was found with prescription medications on his body and that he smelled of alcohol, but that they would have to await toxicology reports to determine whether alcohol might have played a role in his death.
A spokesman for the Kansas City Area Transit Authority released the following statement:
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s friends and family. Our thoughts are also for the comfort for our driver and our customers who had to witness such a thing.”
The driver will be taking a few days off from work before returning to her driving responsibilities.