The driver of the Metro bus that crashed in to a Metro train on February 8, 2010 -- Reginald Rideout, 50 -- has been suspended indefinitely without pay by Metro. It is reported that Mr. Rideout has been working for Metro since 2000.
This was Mr. Rideout's fourth accident with Metro; two of the prior three accidents were deemed his fault.
An interesting thing about Metro is that they get to investigate their own accidents. In other words, a Metro police officer - not an HPD officer - will investigate the crash. Many folks wonder how this can be a truly "independent" investigation? Perhaps HPD should start looking over their shoulder when they investigate just to make sure they get it right?
Hopefully Metro investigates why Mr. Rideout continued to have a job transporting people after three accidents. Hopefully its investigation will reveal the details of Mr. Rideout's prior accidents - were they all his fault, were people injured, how many were injured, etc? It will be interesting to find out what Metro's policy is on how many accidents will disqualify one of its drivers.
Regardless of Metro's investigation, Texas law holds bus companies to an extra high standard of care because they transport people. This is known as the "common carrier" doctrine.
If you have any questions about bus accidents, please contact us and our
Houston Bus Accident Attorneys will help you.
To reply to this message, enter your reply in the box labeled "Message", hit "Post Message."
