Wednesday saw a deadly crash between a Pickup Truck and a church bus on US Highway 83, around 75 miles west of San Antonio, Texas, killing 13 people. While investigators are still trying to establish the cause of the accident, a witness has come forward.

Pickup truck swerving all over the road

Jody Kuchler and his girlfriend were reportedly driving on US Highway 83 when they noticed a pickup truck swerving erratically on the road, often veering over into oncoming traffic. Kuchler’s girlfriend filmed the truck’s progress on her phone, while Kuchler reportedly called several local sheriffs’ departments in an effort to get the driver taken off the road.

KSAT obtained audio footage of a 911 call to the Real County Sheriff’s Office, where Kuchler is telling emergency operators that they need to get the driver off the road or he is going to hit someone head on.

When the crash did occur, Kuchler told police he had spoken to the driver who apologized and admitted he was Texting While Driving. According to Kuchler, he then asked the driver if he knew what he just did.

According to Buzzfeed News, investigators would not comment on Kuchler’s account. Terry Williams, speaking for the National Board of Transportation Safety, told Buzzfeed that distractions by either the pickup truck driver or bus driver are part of their investigation. However, Williams did say they estimate the federal probe into the accident could take around a year to complete.

Reportedly there is not a statewide ban on texting while driving in Texas.

As reported by CBS News, of the 14 members of the First Baptist New Braunfels Church who were traveling on the bus, 12 died on the scene of the accident, another passed away in the hospital that evening, while the sole survivor of the crash is still in a critical condition.

They were reportedly returning from a camp retreat when the crash occurred. The pickup truck driver, identified as Jack Dillon Young, 20, is reportedly still in the hospital.

Most of the bus passengers were wearing seat belts

According to federal investigator Jennifer Morrison, who is leading the investigation, there were seat belts fitted on the bus and according to officials, most passengers were using them at the time of the accident.

Speaking for the Texas Department of Public Safety, Lt.

Johnny Hernandez said the crash was one of the most deadly in recent times in Texas. Saying it is a big investigation, as this type of accident doesn’t happen often, investigations are still in their early stages and they have not yet had a chance to speak to Young.
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