Just ten months after a school bus in Tennessee crashed into a tree, killing five children and injuring many others, a commuter bus in New York City's Queens, has crashed into a bus that was traveling on an adjacent street. Ironically, the driver of the commuter bus, Richard Mong, was fired from the same company of the bus that he hit in the accident, according to New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). Mong was killed in the crash; whereas the driver of the MTA bus, whose name has not been released, was injured but sustained only minor injuries.
The driver of the MTA bus is being interviewed by NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) officials.
Mong's troubled history
MTA officials in Connecticut have confirmed that Richard Mong indeed did have a very troubled driving history. According to the officials, Mong had been cited for DUI (driving under the influence) and was subsequently fired two years ago in 2015. Shortly thereafter, Mong acquired a position as a driver for the bus company, Dahlia, in New York State.
How the accident happened
According to investigatory officials, Mong, who should have been traveling at a safe inner-city speed of between 25 and 30 mph (miles per hour), was actually traveling at around 60 mph. Considering that the Queens intersection in which the accident occurred is one of the most dangerous intersections in all of New York City, a speed of 60 mph is totally beyond all rhyme and reason even for a car, let alone a full-sized commuter bus!
How Mong was able to acquire a job as a commuter bus driver after having been arrested for DUI in Connecticut is unknown. However, it gives rise to questioning if interstate communications among state agencies need improvement. Could this mishap have been prevented if state computers among different states were able to interface with one another, utilize the same software and share all of their information with the click of a button?
Other victims
In addition to Mong, two other people became fatal victims of the accident. One of the victims was a passenger on the MTA bus, and the other one was a pedestrian who just happened to be walking by when the incident occurred.
Aaron Carter's DUI
In related news, noted singer Aaron Carter was arrested two months ago on charges of DUI and possession of a very small amount of marijuana.
After having quit Twitter because of mounting accusations from fans that he was suffering from an eating disorder or some form of cancer, the 29-year-old entertainer was pulled over and arrested in Georgia. Carter stated that he had purchased a second-hand car for traveling to and fro because of his fear of flying.
