2nd Driver's Lawyer: Bus Accident Caused By Malfunction
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Three days after a bus ended up shattered on Evergreen Road, accident investigators were at the Port Authority garage going over the crash with a fine tooth comb.
"We continue to look at the bus, we are trying to follow through with every possible course of action that's required," said Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie.
But even as the investigation continues, the driver of the second bus involved, 56-year-old Thomas Frauens, told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review that the story being put out by the Port Authority is a lie.
His attorney Bruce Carcia says the drivers were not horsing around.
"From what I understand, and looking at the facts, that did not happen. I believe the accident was caused by a malfunction in Julie's bus," said Carcia.
Specifically, he says it was a steering problem in what he characterized as one of the oldest buses in the Port Authority fleet.
"There's a series of inspections that all our vehicles go through. There are frequent inspection and daily trip inspections, so this is something, obviously, we would be looking at, and if there is a prior problem it will come out," said Ritchie.
As for the two buses colliding, Carcia says, "My client was not aware of any contact."
"We believe there was," said Ritchie. "There is damage to the bus that did not go over the hillside. And it seems pretty clear from the bus video that they did make contact."
Richie says a right side window in the back was shattered.
Carcia says his client pulled over after the accident and reported it immediately.
"From the bus video and our investigation, there is no indication that he reported the accident at the time," Ritchie said.
"That's not true, that is not true," said Carcia. "He did not leave the scene without reporting it."
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