ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 11, 1995                   TAG: 9504120020
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: MANASSAS                                LENGTH: Short

TRUCK DRIVER BLAMES INSPECTORS FOR CRASH INVOLVING SCHOOL BUS

The driver of a dump truck that rear-ended a school bus earlier this month said inspectors overlooked faulty brakes when inspecting the vehicle the day before.

Police charged Larden Edmundson after his truck struck a bus April 4. The bus driver and a 9-year-old pupil were injured. Edmundson said police told him about poorly adjusted brakes with two air leaks in the brake system shortly after the incident.

But Edmundson said a company contracted to inspect his company's trucks did not check his brakes when his truck was inspected the day before the accident. Edmundson said Seneca officials told him to drive the truck or he would be terminated. After he had hauled 12 loads, his brakes failed, ramming the truck into the rear of the bus.

Zukowski Fleet Service holds the contract for inspecting Seneca's fleet. Owner Mike Zukowski said the 1979 Mack truck was inspected April 3 and passed.

As a result of the accident, Edmundson said his position at Seneca was terminated.

In the meantime, Edmundson said he will hire lawyers to use the poor inspection as grounds for his defense when he fights the charges in Prince William County court next month.

- Associated Press 


 by CNB