FEBRUARY 18, 2015
WATERBURY, CT (WFSB)
Waterbury police have released the names of the two men who
were killed in a school bus crash on Tuesday afternoon.
Police said 24-year-old Jeremy Rucker, of Naugatuck, and
Michael Maldonado, 23, of Waterbury, were in the truck that collided with the
bus on Watertown Road at a little after 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Waterbury police said the two men died of blunt force trauma
resulting from the crash.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that Rucker was
driving the Dodge Dakota south on Watertown Avenue, and the truck had crossed
the center line, striking the school bus.
Police said it is unclear why the vehicle lost control.
There were no students on the school bus at the time of the
crash, however the bus driver sustained minor injuries.
The impact of the crash forced the school bus to crash into
the gate next to Route 8.
The crash remains under investigation pending the outcome of
crash reconstruction, speed analysis and toxicology reports. It is apparent though that at least speed
played a role, considering the magnitude of the damage.