KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Accident investigators say a Tennessee school bus driver was texting at the time of a crash that killed two young girls and an aspiring teacher last year.
Knoxville police said in a statement Friday that driver James Davenport had sent and received multiple text messages around the time the two buses collided in December. The investigation file has been turned over to county prosecutors.
Police said they were informed that Davenport died this week as they were nearing the conclusion of their investigation. Sheriff's officials said he apparently died of natural causes.
Two buses were traveling in opposite directions on Asheville Highway when Davenport made a sudden left turn across the concrete median and crashed into the other bus. The three died when that bus was flipped on its side.