Aug 2023/ — Illegal Haitian Immigrant Involved in Deadly School Bus Crash, Charged with Vehicular Homicide

Lawrenceville, Ohio  -A Haitian national, residing illegally in the U.S., is facing criminal charges following a tragic school bus accident on Tuesday that left one elementary school student dead and over 20 others injured, according to Clark County court records.

Hermanio Joseph, 35, who was living in Springfield without proper legal documentation, was charged Wednesday with vehicular homicide in Clark County Municipal Court — a fourth-degree felony. If convicted, Joseph could face six to 12 months in prison and/or a $5,000 fine, according to court documents.

Authorities confirmed that Joseph, who had been living in the U.S. illegally, was also driving without a valid license at the time of the crash. He was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon and is being held at the Clark County Jail, as confirmed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The crash claimed the life of Aiden Clark, a young student who was ejected from the bus while heading to his first day of school. The Northwestern Local Schools district has since canceled Thursday’s classes in response to the devastating incident.

A memorial was held by local residents on Wednesday night at the crash site, with the community leaving balloons and stuffed animals in honor of the young victim.

According to authorities, the school bus was traveling west on State Route 41 around 8:12 a.m. when Joseph, driving east, allegedly swerved left of the center line, forcing the bus driver to veer onto the shoulder in an attempt to avoid a collision. Despite the bus driver’s efforts, the two vehicles collided, sending the bus off the road, down an embankment, and flipping onto its top.

In addition to the loss of life, 26 of the 52 students on board were hospitalized at various medical facilities across the state. Most injuries were non-life-threatening, but one student remains in serious condition at a children’s hospital.

The 68-year-old bus driver sustained minor injuries but was not hospitalized, while Joseph and his passenger also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

As the community continues to mourn, questions are being raised about how Joseph, an illegal immigrant without a license, was able to remain on the roads despite these significant legal barriers.