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NTSB: Driver in Fatal Crash Was Speeding, Had Prior Wrecks

Six people died, including the drivers of both buses involved in the wreck, and 11 were hurt

The driver of a Baltimore school bus that careened into a transit bus, killing six people, including himself, was speeding, had a history of previous crashes and had a seizure the week before, national investigators said Wednesday.

Glen Chappell was driving about 57 mph in a 30-mph zone — nearly twice the speed limit — when he struck a Ford Mustang from behind before colliding with an oncoming Maryland Transit Administration bus last month, according to the National Transportation Safety Board's initial report.

Chappell died in the crash along with a Maryland Transit Administration bus driver and four mass transit passengers, while 11 people sustained injuries. No children were aboard the school bus.

In a recorded 911 call, a man who gave his name as Cameron said, "The school bus was going 90. The school bus tore off the street and kept on moving.''

Chappell was driving the school bus for AAAfordable LLC of Baltimore, which held a contract with Baltimore City Public Schools. 

The report says that a week before the Nov. 1 crash, paramedics had been called to the AAAFordable offices because Chappell was exhibiting seizure-like symptoms.

Last month, Chappell's son, Moses, told the Associated Press maintained a healthy lifestyle. But when he was asked about his father's health and whether he had seizures, Moses Chappell said, "I can't really comment to that.''

Helen Morgan, the mother of Maryland Transit Administration bus driver Ebonee Baker, who died in the crash, questioned why someone who may have suffered from seizures would be allowed to drive a school bus.

"What is he doing behind the wheel? I don't know why this happened, but I know that's not supposed to be the way it's supposed to be. That's not right.'' Morgan said. "It's not right.''

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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