In a report recently released by the Ector County Sheriff’s Department, it has been revealed that 10 bus occupants, including eight prison inmates from the Middleton prison in Abilene, were fatally injured in a bus accident that took place on Interstate 20 on Wednesday morning just west of Odessa in Penwell.
It’s believed that icy conditions on the interstate were the primary cause of the accident, which resulted in the bus driver losing control of the vehicle, sending it off the roadway and into the path of an oncoming train.
The force of the collision caused a number of the inmates – who were handcuffed and not wearing seatbelts – to be thrown inside the cabin, while a number of the passengers were ejected from the bus completely.
In a statement from Odessa Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Kevin Tinney:
“In 32 years it’s as bad as anything I’ve seen.”
The office of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has confirmed the incident, adding that another four prisoners and one corrections officer were also injured in the accident.
While the statement from the TDCJ did not clarify who was driving the bus at the time of the incident, they have released the names of the deceased:
Correctional Officers:
* 38 year old Jason Self – a correctional officer at the prison was also listed as being in critical condition.
Inmates:
* Prison inmates Terry Johnson, 22, Hector Rivera, 37, Remigio Pineda, 34 and Damien Rodriguez, 22 were also noted as being hospitalized and in serious condition.
The accident is still under investigation.
Have you lost a loved one in an accident that was caused by a negligent driver?
At the law offices of Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, our team of personal injury trial lawyers in Fort Worth have decades of experience and offer free consultations to help determine the merits of your claim.
Contact us today at (817) 920-9000 or click “here” to chat with someone now and learn more about your legal options.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Seth Anderson, whose team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in helping victims of personal injury seek justice.
Bus accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. When these types of crashes happen, they often result in multiple injuries due to the number of people involved and how they are secured in their seats. Bus accidents on Interstate 20, Interstate 30, Interstate 35, Interstate...
learn more
If your child is injured in a school bus accident, you may feel as though your world is coming to an end. Though this is certainly a tragic event, you should know help is available. Our Fort Worth bus accident lawyers are here to...
learn more
After reviewing traffic citations and camera evidence, Dallas County Schools in Texas has fired 13 school bus drivers and suspended an additional 229 drivers for five to nine days without pay. A recent investigation by NBC 5 found that Dallas County Schools bus drivers...
learn moreTell us about your accident and your injuries. An injury lawyer from our team will call and provide you with a free evaluation of your case. If we can help, and you are unable to travel, we will come to your home, office, or hospital. It’s easy – let’s get started.
Email us anytime and we will get back to you.
Our attorneys will come to your home, office or hospital at your convenience.
Our team is ready and waiting to help you today.
Message Us 
Call Us