Driver of Greyhound bus that crashed dies

Keith Paul

Monday, July 16, 2001 | 10:26 a.m.

The driver of a Greyhound bus that crashed through a guardrail outside of Las Vegas earlier this month died early Sunday.

The driver, 61-year-old Jerry Davis, had been in critical condition since the July 3 accident. He died 3:30 a.m. Sunday, hospital officials said.

"We express our deepest sympathies for the Davis family," said Kristin Parsley, a Greyhound spokeswoman.

"This is a very tragic and unfortunate accident."

Investigators have determined the accident was not a result of mechanical problems. Driver error is believed to be the cause of the wreck, said Trooper Alan Davidson, a Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman.

The mechanical report, along with the accident investigation, is to be released by the highway patrol later this week.

All 37 passengers and Davis were taken to area hospitals after the July 3 crash about 3:25 a.m. at the State Route 168 exit off Interstate 15. Only a 5-year-old boy escaped injury.

Most of the passengers have been released from area hospitals, although five remain hospitalized.

Passengers told police and the Sun that Davis had twice fallen asleep while driving the bus July 3. One passenger even sat in a seat near Davis to make sure he stayed awake, passengers said.

Passengers have twice filed complaints against Davis for sleeping or drowsiness behind the wheel. One complaint was filed with Greyhound in 1993. Another complaint was filed in May.

Davis was driving the early-morning leg of the route from Grand Junction, Colo., to Las Vegas.