A truck driver is facing several charges in connection with a double fatality crash that occurred in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in November 2021.
Thirty year old truck driver Karandeep Singh of Alberta, Canada, has been charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle as well as aggravated assault by vehicle, reckless driving, impeding movement of traffic, and operating with unsafe equipment.
The crash occurred on November 2, 2021, in Muddy Creek Township, Pennsylvania, when a school bus rear-ended Singh’s loaded flatbed trailer on I-79 near Route 422.
🚨#BREAKING: Numerous children injured following serious school bus crash in Pittsburgh
📌#Pittsburgh l #PA
Emergency personnel have requested medical helicopters to the scene, which are now en route. Interstate 79 has been closed while further agencies continue to stage. pic.twitter.com/4axDtPRHM4
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 2, 2021
Investigators say that Singh was driving in the right lane of the interstate traveling north at speeds of about 18 m.p.h. when the crash occurred. The speed limit on the interstate is 70 m.p.h. and the school bus was traveling at about 67 m.p.h. when it hit the truck from behind.
Bus driver Lindsey Thompkins and fourteen year old Brylee Walker died in the crash. Two other students suffered serious injuries.
Singh was not injured in the crash.
A post-crash inspection on Singh’s truck revealed multiple “violations that were present on the truck tractor at the time of the crash that would have resulted in an out of service order for the truck,” according to CBS Pittsburgh. Authorities said that Singh’s truck wasn’t able to achieve highway speed because of a mechanical issue and that he was negligent for continuing to drive the vehicle.
Singh had left a truck stop shortly before the crash occurred.
Singh is reportedly not in custody and has not been arraigned.