D.A. Plans To File Charges In Port Authority Rollover Crash
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's been more than two months since a crash involving two Port Authority buses, and there has been a lot of back and forth about what is to blame for the accident
On Wednesday, the Allegheny County District Attorney was clear in his intent to file charges.
You've probably seen the video by now. A bus tumbles down a hill amid claims two bus drivers were involved in alleged "horse play" on the Parkway North.
District Attorney Stephen Zappala says it was a crime.
Zappala: "Next week, we'll take care of that matter, next week."
KDKA's Paul Martino: "Do you expect charges?"
Zappala: "I do. I absolutely do, against both of the drivers."
Zappala stopped short of saying the two drivers were racing, but says they were speeding.
The D.A. is also dismissing claims by the attorney for driver Juliann Maier that the bus had a faulty sway bar, causing it to go out of control.
"Accident reconstruction experts for the Port Authority, and a second opinion from accident reconstruction experts for Pittsburgh Police were very prominent in the investigation, and they could find no mechanical problems with the bus," Zappala said.
Zappala is considering serious criminal charges, felonies.
"There's a whole litany - several summaries, there's recklessly endangering other persons. There's several counts - leaving the scene of an accident where there's personal injury or possible death.
Later Wednesday, Joel Sansone, Maier's attorney, issued a blistering statement about Zappala.
Sansone says: "I am shocked and disappointed by the rush to judgment by a politically motivated D.A. Mr. Zappala should do his job instead of worrying about future political ambitions or whatever ambitions he may have."
Sansone claims the Port Authority is quietly fixing the sway bars on all of the buses of the same model involved in that crash.
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