Bus Driver is Charged After Bus Heading to Hampton University Overturns Killing one on Route 58

A bus driver has been charged with reckless driving over a crash on Route 58 in Virginia that claimed the life of a man and left another passenger in a critical condition, when a tour bus on its way to High School Day at Hampton University, overturned.

Sgt. Michelle Anaya with the Virginia State Police said the crash involving HU alumnus on a bus traveling from Chapel Hill, NC to Hampton, occurred around 7 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Route 58 near Route 652 in Capron, VA.

Police say the driver lost control of the bus and ran off the right side of the road, overturning in a ditch. Two passengers were ejected. 58-year-old Doval Emmanuel Watson of Chapel Hill, N.C., died at the scene. As an experienced Virginia wrongful death attorney my thoughts are with his family and the other passengers on this fateful bus trip.

Driver charged in fatal bus crash

A female passenger is reported to be in a critical condition. She was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. WAVY.com reported she was pinned under the bus.

Anaya said the owner of the bus, Horizon Coach Lines, is based out of Seattle, Washington. “The driver, Larry Brocks, 62, of Raleigh, NC, has been charged with reckless driving. Once the investigation is completed and consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney, other charges may be pending.”

Gloria Doyle, president of the Durham-Chapel Hill Chapter of the Hampton University Alumni Association told WAVY there were six students on board the bus.

The tour bus industry has a poor record in relation to crashes. In 2011 four people were killed when a tour bus overturned on the I-95 in Caroline County after the driver fell asleep at the wheel.

If a family member has been killed in a bus accident, or if you have been injured you should contact an experienced Virginia bus crash attorney for a free consultation.

The Norfolk, VA based personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley with client meeting locations in Virginia Beach and Hampton, handles automobile, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as wrongful death, railroad injury cases and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA. If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us at (757) 455 -0077 or see CooperHurley.com