Charges made in deadly Mount Zion Church bus crash

Charges made in deadly Mount Zion Church bus crash

ATLANTA — The Mount Zion Baptist Church bus driver has been charged with vehicular homicide following the deadly crash last week outside of Atlanta that resulted in many injuries and the death of 17-year-old Sarah Harmening, according to attorney Jason W. Swindle Sr.

The driver, Jerry Sims, also was charged with failure to maintain lane. Swindle, Sims’ lawyer, said of the charges, “These charges are misdemeanor traffic offenses because neither drugs nor alcohol were involved in the accident. Jerry, who is still recovering in the hospital, has received nothing but love and support from the families affected by the accident and the fellowship of the entire Christian community.”

Police say the bus attempted to change lanes when it hit a Chrysler. That collision caused Sims to steer left, entering the uneven median and rolling over.

The bus was on its way to the Atlanta airport to fly 38 students and chaperones to Botswana as International World Changers through the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. (TAB)