December 7th, 2012
02:37 PM ET

Bus driver acquitted of manslaughter, homicide charges in New York crash

The bus driver charged in a March 2011 crash that killed 15 passengers and injured 18 others in New York was acquitted of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges Friday.

Ophadell Williams, 41, was found guilty of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. He has served more than 15 months in prison and was sentenced to an additional 30 days. He will also pay a $500 fine.

A jury in the Bronx reached the verdict Thursday afternoon, but the judge delayed the reading to Friday morning because a juror had to leave for a medical appointment

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soundoff (10 Responses)
  1. Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "Right Wing Insanity"

    Somebody has to go down for this.

    December 7, 2012 at 2:58 pm | Report abuse |
  2. 1608

    I was hoping someone would help me with one,

    December 7, 2012 at 7:27 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Portland tony

    The driver was acquitted of all charges because the prosecution failed to prove he was too tired (lack of sleep) to safety operate a motor vehicle (bus). He did have a couple of unrelated traffic tickets which were dismissed for time served. The dude couldn't make bail so he was locked up for 15 months awaiting trial. He and the bus company still have wrongful death and injury civil lawsuits to contend with.

    December 8, 2012 at 3:29 pm | Report abuse |
    • maureen

      the company went out of business then whet happens

      December 8, 2012 at 8:30 pm | Report abuse |
    • Portland tony

      @m....... At time of the accident the bus company probably had insurance. So if they are the "deep pockets" I'm sure the ambulance chasers are going after them.

      December 8, 2012 at 9:24 pm | Report abuse |
    • alumette

      can't get blood out of a turnip. These people are gone. Let it go already. Accidents happen. We live and we die. It's that simple.

      December 10, 2012 at 8:25 pm | Report abuse |
  4. 1608

    @ P T first ty for your help. But the man lied, I dont think the company did back round check.

    December 8, 2012 at 10:04 pm | Report abuse |
    • Portland tony

      Background check? These tour bus drivers, work very long hours, put up with unruly patrons and are grossly underpaid. The court basically ruled that driving a bus, averaging 3 hrs sleep, was the accepted industry standard and was not inherently dangerous.

      December 9, 2012 at 9:44 am | Report abuse |
  5. Kiki Fisher

    Everything goes down the Stormdrain.

    December 9, 2012 at 6:02 am | Report abuse |
  6. Philip

    The bus driver was an avg. American driver. Very dangerous to have behind the wheel.

    December 9, 2012 at 10:58 pm | Report abuse |
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