Probe finds both drivers at fault in bus accident

A preliminary investigation into the bus accident that killed two Beaumont soccer players March 29 found that both the bus driver and a truck driver who lost part of his load were at fault in the wreck. The DPS didn't recommend ticketing or charging either driver, but officials say the investigation isn't over.

The accident happened near Devers when the bus taking the Beaumont West Brook High School girls' soccer team to a game in Humble reportedly swerved to avoid a load of plastic insulation that had fallen off a flatbed truck on rain-slick Highway 90 near Devers. The bus flipped on its side and landed in a ditch, killing 18-year-old Alicia Bonura and 16-year-old Ashley Brown. A third player, 16-year-old Devin Martindale, had to have her arm amputated as a result of the accident.

According to the preliminary report, bus driver Lorri Ann White contributed to the accident by taking "faulty evasive action" and having "impaired visibility" and the truck driver, Joel Eugeno Martinez, failed to secure the load on his truck. The report will be forwarded to the Liberty County DA, who will decide whether to file charges.