SANDERS, Arizona—Kiarra Gordon passed away on August 28, 2022, around 9:25 a.m. after the Holbrook Indian School bus she was riding was rear-ended by a semi-truck in a three-vehicle crash on I-40.
According to initial reports, the school bus was carrying 19 occupants on a field trip to Window Rock, New Mexico, when the bus slowed for traffic and was struck by a semi-truck and pushed into a nearby van. The crash occurred approximately 55 miles east of Holbrook.
While Gordon was the only individual to lose her life in the accident, six others were seriously injured.
Investigation into this crash remains ongoing. No further details about the crash have been released at this time.
Thoughts on the tragic bus accident that left one dead and multiple injured
The death of a young woman on a school field trip is simply heartbreaking. While there are vehicle accidents in the U.S. every day, the fact that children continue to lose their lives due to the recklessness of others is both disheartening and terrifying. Indeed, Gordon’s family will undoubtedly be entitled to hold the driver of this truck responsible for the tragic passing of their young daughter.
Although we do not yet know all the details of this crash, it appears that the semi-truck driver who rear-ended the bus was negligent in exercising his duty of care for others on I-40. The driver may have been distracted by technology or logging travel hours. In any event, crashing into a school bus full of children is unacceptable and a blatant disregard of any safety protocol the driver may have been aware of at the time.
Additionally, the truck driver may not be the only party Gordon’s family and others involved in the crash could hold responsible for this accident. If the truck driver was employed by a commercial trucking company, then the company may share in the responsibility for this accident, as well. For instance, our firm has successfully represented families in lawsuits against commercial semi-truck drivers and their employers when the trucking company has failed to provide truck drivers with proper education about stopping distance or evasive driving. After all, trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are well-equipped with any and all tools needed to travel safely on our roadways.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Gordon’s family and others involved in this crash as they navigate this difficult time. Our law firm can help those affected here by identifying all wrongdoing and making sure the responsible parties are held accountable for their actions. We provide free case consultations and have a proven track record of success in fatal bus accidents caused by truck drivers.
