Crash victims died despite seat belts

Federal investigators say most, if not all, of the 14 occupants of a church minibus were wearing seat belts when the bus was slammed head-on by a heavy pickup truck on a two-lane Texas highway.

Jennifer Morrison of the National Transportation Safety Board said the minibus was fitted out with seat belts, but only the driver’s seat and front passenger seat had threepoint lap-and-shoulder belts. All of the other seats were equipped with lap belts only.

Morrison, who heads the NTSB team investigating the crash that killed 13 of the 14 bus occupants, said a major focus of the federal investigation will be why the elderly passengers did not survive, despite the use of lap belts.

Morrison also said the bus was the body and chassis of a 2004 Fort Econoline van converted into a small bus by Turtle Top. It was carrying members of the First Baptist Church of New Braunfels home from a retreat in Leakey.

Department of Public Safety Sgt. Conrad Hein declined to comment on Friday on the cause of the crash or whether texting might have played a role. But officials have said the truck driver appeared to have crossed the center line.

Distracted driving eyed

Federal investigators would not comment on the report Friday. However, Morrison said Friday that distracted driving will be among the issues investigated.

Jack D. Young, identified as the pickup truck driver, remains hospitalized following the crash. Twelve people died at the scene, authorities said. Another bus passenger died at a San Antonio hospital.

Texas is unusual in that it has no statewide ban on texting while driving. Dozens of cities across the state prohibit the practice, but local ordinances may not have applied where Wednesday’s crash occurred in a rural area. Laws in 46 other states ban sending or reading email, using apps or engaging in other use of the internet while driving.

Texas’ GOP-controlled Legislature approved a statewide ban in 2011, but it was vetoed by then-Gov. Rick Perry, who characterized such prohibitions as government micromanagement and said educating drivers was the key to deterrence. A similar proposal passed the Texas House a few weeks ago but has yet to make it to a Senate floor vote.

Surgery for suvivor

The lone survivor from the bus, Rose Mary Harris, 64, of New Braunfels, underwent surgery Friday at San Antonio Military Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.

Young, 20, a Leakey resident, was listed in fair condition Friday at University Hospital in San Antonio. His family has declined interview requests.

Jody Kuchler, a welder from Leakey, said he had been driving behind Young’s pickup and reported to authorities that it was being driven erratically. He also said he tried to help the crash victims and Young after the accident.

Kuchler said he had made repeated calls to report the white Dodge pickup was drifting onto the two-lane road’s shoulder and across its center line, saying he feared a head-on collision.