Complaint: MCTS bus driver charged in fatal crash fell asleep behind wheel

Complaint: MCTS bus driver charged in fatal crash fell asleep behind wheel
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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus driver is facing charges in a deadly Christmas Day crash.

According to a criminal complaint, Montrell Pharm fell asleep behind the wheel, causing a chain reaction crash near 47th and Villard.

One person was killed, 79-year-old Robert Clemons.

Authorities say Pharm nodded off several times while driving the bus that night.

He's now charged with two felonies connected to the crash for negligent driving and causing harm.

Clemons was dragged under the bus.

At around 11 p.m. Christmas night, Pharm was driving west on Villard for his #58 MCTS bus route.

Near 47th, Clemons was working on a legally parked truck with his grandson when Pharm veered off the road and hit them.

The complaint says during an interview, Pharm stated on Dec. 25, he worked from 9:49 a.m. to 12:22 a.m., with a "split" around 2-4 p.m. Pharm reportedly stated he had been working 14-hour days since Dec. 22.

According to the complaint, Pharm told investigators he feels ashamed by what happened, but he was "looking straight ahead," and had a clear path, and that he was good.” The next thing he knew there was an impact.

But internal and external bus cameras recorded the crash.

They show Pharm's eyes were closed at the time, and he apparently fell asleep several times along the route while the bus was both stopped and moving.

No passengers were on the bus at the time.

After the crash, the cameras showed Pharm driving for more than 20 seconds before eventually coming to a stop.

Clemons was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Pharm was evaluated at a hospital.

Pharm was hired by MCTS March 18, 2024.

And according to investigators, this wasn't the first time Pharm fell asleep behind the wheel of a MCTS bus.

Pharm was involved in another crash, what MCTS called a "preventable accident." It happened two months before the fatal crash.

At a red light on Oct.15 of 2024, he "appeared to fall asleep causing his bus to make contact with the rear of a stationary vehicle."

MCTS records show Pharm has undergone fatigue training and has been told what to do if he's too tired to drive.

Pharm never drove for MCTS again after the crash. He was fired Jan. 7 after an internal investigation.

The president of the bus drivers union said they're aware of the charges and of Pharm's claims of fatigue.

Pharm is expected in court Feb. 20.

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