ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 20, 1997 TAG: 9701200053
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BEDFORD
SOURCE: JOANNE POINDEXTER
A 16-year-old Staunton River High School student who struck a stopped school bus in September, killing a passenger in her car, will be charged with a misdemeanor.
Cary Payne, an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Bedford County, would not identify the driver Friday but said she would be charged with reckless driving. After the Sept.13 accident, investigators identified the driver as Christy Rena Hawkins.
Tracy Gwynn Arthur, Hawkins' cousin and front-seat passenger, was killed when the car struck the bus and partially slid under it on Virginia 43. The two and Hawkins' brother were on their way to school. Hawkins and her brother were treated at a hospital and released.
Investigators said the bus had its red lights activated and a stop sign extended on the two-lane road while it was picking up a passenger.
Payne said charges will be filed within the next week.
The evidence was not sufficient enough to support a manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter charge, Payne said. Prosecutors would have to show the accident was the result of negligence for those charges, he said.
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB