Leander ISD bus crash: DPS says driver won't face criminal charges

LEANDER, Texas - The Leander Independent School District released video from the August 13 rollover bus crash.

Dash cam video released from Leander ISD bus crash

Leander ISD has released the video of the crash. 

The approximately nine-minute video shows the moments before and after the crash happened.

The backstory:

The crash was reported in the 22500 block of Nameless Road at Palomino Ranch Drive around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13.

46 children and the bus driver were on board when the bus rolled over.

Leander ISD says 17 people were taken to hospitals from the scene and the reunification center. 

Officials said that all of those taken to the hospital have been released.

It happened on Leander ISD's first day of school. 

What caused the Leander ISD bus crash?

Dig deeper:

The Texas Department of Public Safety released details from its investigation into the crash, and it says it found that on the day of the crash it was raining, and the roadway was wet at the time of the crash.

On a rainy afternoon, the bus turned over at one of Nameless Roads’ many turns. The speed limit is 45 miles per hour. Video shows the bus reaching 56 miles per hour at one point.

"If he was going slower, he would have been able to control the vehicle better. Also, I don't know, but if the children were on one side versus another side, it has to be the center of gravity, has to be, the weight has to equal," Changing Lanes CDL School Owner Delbert Crawford said.

DPS says the Leander ISD video shows the bus traveling westbound, crossing the double yellow line multiple times, before leaving the right side of the roadway and overturning.

Officials say the driver showed no signs of impairment.

Investigators did find that there was limited seat belt use among students and that the driver was not wearing their seat belt properly.

Leander ISD says the bus, #750, that was involved in the rollover was equipped with seat belts. District officials say as of this fall, all Leander ISD buses on daily routes will have them.

Troopers inspecting the bus found that all four rear tires were below the tread depth of 6/32 of an inch. The condition is noted, DPS says, but it can't be confirmed that it contributed to the crash.

"Industry standard, if it's below six, I would recommend, if it says six, I would get it changed, but that’s not required," Crawford said.

The veteran driver, who Leander ISD identified as Tim Gall, was placed on administrative leave. Texas DPS said he crossed the double yellow line multiple times, failed to drive in a single lane, and wasn’t wearing his seatbelt correctly.

"As a CDL holder, you're upheld to a higher standard than most people," Crawford said.

DPS says Gall was cited for failing to drive in a single lane and rider not secured by safety belt - driver.

Troopers consulted with local prosecutors and DPS says it was determined criminal charges were not warranted.