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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Judge rules Woodmore attorneys can ask for pre-accident info from bus company

Johnthony Walker, the driver involved in the Nov. 21 school bus crash that killed six Woodmore Elementary School students and injured numerous others, appears before Judge Lila Statom on December 15, 2016 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Walker is charged with six
Johnthony Walker, the driver involved in the Nov. 21 school bus crash that killed six Woodmore Elementary School students and injured numerous others, appears before Judge Lila Statom on December 15, 2016 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Walker is charged with six Johnthony Walker, the driver involved in the Nov. 21 school bus crash that killed six Woodmore Elementary School students and injured numerous others, appears before Judge Lila Statom on December 15, 2016 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Walker is charged with six

Woodmore Elementary school bus crash

Plaintiffs’ attorneys for Woodmore victims can ask Durham School Services for pre-accident information such as employment files and phone records. But they cannot get evidence that will be used in driver Johnthony Walker’s criminal prosecution just yet.

Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge J.B. Bennett ruled today Durham has 90 days to come back and give a status update on Walker’s criminal case.

Authorities say Walker was behind the wheel when he sped down Talley Road on Nov. 21 and swerved into a tree with 37 Woodmore Elementary students onboard. Walker, 24, does not have a trial date yet. Attorneys said his case will be presented to the grand jury tomorrow or this Monday.

Today’s hearing revolved around Durham’s request to freeze the dozen lawsuits filed against it until Walker’s case is complete. The company, which provides the majority of the county’s buses, says it doesn’t want to turn over evidence that would violate Walker’s right to a fair trial.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs countered the company is avoiding liability and trying to “insulate” evidence by giving it to law enforcement and not them.