The driver of a Blue Line bus has been issued a citation for failure to maintain a safe lookout after a collision that occurred about 2 p.m. on Wednesday. The bus was actually part of the Grey Line, which includes the Park Avenue campus loop.
Perry Wade, junior international business major, was stopped in the left lane at the stop sign located on the corner of Southern Avenue and Patterson Street. Wade said he was starting to proceed through the intersection when he was sideswiped.
Darryl W. Smith, the driver of the Blue Line bus, was in the right lane and began turning right from Southern Avenue over the railroad tracks when the rear bumper of the bus collided with the side of Wade's car. Both vehicles were westbound when the accident occurred.
"My mirror was completely broken off," Wade said.
The police report detailed the damages to Wade's vehicle as "moderate," while the Blue Line bus' damages were "minor." The only damages sustained by the bus were located on the rear bumper, while two areas of Wade's car, the front right side and the passenger side, were damaged.
According to the police report filed, Smith "looked in his rearview mirror and saw no vehicles, [then] started a right turn and heard a crushing sound."
Captain Kevin Langellier of Police Services said the campus police procedure for handling motor vehicle accidents is the same, regardless of the people involved.
"We handle car accidents [involving campus or state employees] the same as two students or two people unaffiliated with the University," Langellier said. "The only difference is we will wire a copy of the report to the department involved."
According to the police report, the buses are actually owned by Groome Transportation, a company located in Chattanooga, Tenn. Wade said he hasn't heard anything from Groome Transportation, the Blue Line or Parking Services.
"They didn't give me any details or anything," he said. "They have to pay for it because they were at fault."
The Blue Line and Parking and Transportation Services could not be reached for comment.
