Parents of Teen Killed in Bus Crash Sue

Falmouth, KYWhile riding in a school bus on May 1, 2008, eleven students were taken by surprise when a dump truck struck their bus. This resulted in the death of 16-year-old Daniel Wood and caused minor injuries amongst the others. Now the parents of the boy killed in the accident have filed a lawsuit against the driver of the dump truck and the trucking company.

The driver of the XXL Trucking dump truck, Francisco Yulfo, crossed the center line and sideswiped the Pendleton County Schools school bus, according to police. He was hauling gravel from the Butler Quarry that is located in northern Pendleton County. The brunt of the impact occurred on the rear driver's side of the bus where there were broken windows and heavy damage overall.

Phil Taliaferro, attorney for the family, says that the family is looking for evidence that is related to the crash. This includes the training record of Yulfo, cell phone records, personnel record, and the truck's maintenance record. However, they have gone forward with filing the lawsuit in Pendleton Circuit Court.

Listed in the lawsuit is XXL Trucking's agent, Danny Ray Fannin. He told a news station in Cincinnati that the road conditions had thrown off the driver. He claims that he believes a big dip in the road was the culprit that had caused Yulfo to cross the center line.

A hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. at the Pendleton County Courthouse. The lawsuit alleges that the crash was due to Yulfo's negligence, causing the death of Daniel and resulting pain and suffering for Daniel's younger siblings. The younger siblings were also passengers on the bus when the accident occurred. The ages of the students ranged from 5 to 16 and they, along with driver Sue Simpson, received treatment from an area hospital and were later discharged. Yulfo was also treated and discharged.

It has been said that Yulfo had only been an employee of the trucking company for two weeks when the accident occurred. However, he did have previous driving experience.

As for Daniel, he was a member of the ROTC at his high school and was a great kid. Many of the students have been putting up cards and photos at the school in the lobby and cafeteria areas. The students have also been collecting donations for the family and a memorial fund has been set up under Toni Wood for Daniel Wood through the Pendleton County Fifth Third Bank.

His burial is scheduled for May 5 at 11 a.m.

By: Ginger Gillenwater