Driver dies of injuries from bus crash

The 80-year-old driver of a Coach USA bus that crashed while bringing home 35 Clark County fifth-graders from an overnight trip to San Diego has died.

Charlie Burger succumbed to his injuries at 7:01 p.m. Thursday, according to a University Medical Center spokeswoman. Details of his injuries were not released.

"This is a really sad day for us here," Kim Bratton-Tubbs, spokeswoman for Coach USA, said. She said Burger had been employed by the company for a decade. "Charlie was spry and good-natured. He loved life, he loved kids and he loved his job."

Bratton-Tubbs said Coach USA will be assisting Burger's family with services, the plans for which have not been finalized.

"Our condolences go out to the family, and we thank them for Charlie's service with the company," Bratton-Tubbs said. "He was a fine man and he will be missed."

It took nearly two hours for Clark County Fire Department's heavy rescue team to extricate the elderly man from beneath the steering wheel of the mangled bus. The bus slid down a 35-foot embankment after colliding with a tractor-trailer in the northbound slow lane of Interstate 15 near Mountain Pass, Calif., about 55 miles southwest of Las Vegas.

Although Burger was conscious after the crash and able to talk to rescuers prior to being airlifted to UMC, authorities have yet to confirm what caused the accident.

California Highway Patrol investigators said the charter bus carrying the Dave Cox Elementary students and nine adults rear-ended a tractor-trailer driven by Gary Ray Sanders, 48, of Andover, Iowa.

Authorities have not commented on the speed that the two vehicles were traveling, but have said that a preliminary investigation had ruled out the possibility of Tuesday night's weather being a factor, despite gusts reported to have reached 40 mph.

Burger's age was not an issue with his ability to drive, Bratton-Tubbs said.

"Charlie was younger and had more energy than most 40-year-olds," she said admiringly of the employee whose active lifestyle off the job included playing golf, basketball and running.

Prior to his employment with Coach USA, Burger had been honored for 32 years of safe driving by the New Jersey Transit Authority. Burger had also been honored by Coach USA for eight years of safe driving, Bratton-Tubbs said.

At the time of his death, Burger held a valid commercial driver's license enabling him to carry passengers.

Bratton-Tubbs said Burger appeared to be in good health and had passed his most recent physical in 1998.

Licensed commercial drivers are required by law to pass a physical every two years. The exam includes a urinalysis and tests on vision and blood pressure.

Kevin Malone, spokesman for the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, said that approval to carry passengers requires additional written and skills tests.

"We allow third parties, such as Clark County School District and KT Services (a division of Coach USA), to do certification and skills testing on their own (facilities)," Malone said, explaining that drivers will initially take a written test with the DMV, then be tested by their individual companies.

"There is no law," Malone said, "that puts an age limit on a commercial driver's license or a regular driver's license."

Concerned for the well-being of the accident victims, their families and residents touched by the disaster, the city of Henderson is providing counseling sessions to help in the healing process.

A counselor from Behavioral Healthcare Options will be facilitating free group sessions from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. today and from 1 to 2 p.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway.

No appointment is needed. Additional one-on-one counseling will be available by appointment during the weekend as well.

"The city of Henderson wants to be available to the community, the Clark County School District and anyone who may need support or reassurance," Mayor James Gibson said in a prepared statement, adding that counseling support will be available to accident victims during the holiday weekend as well.

Anyone interested in learning more about the counseling services is asked to call the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 435-3814.

The Clark County School District will also provide counseling at Cox Elementary School when school resumes Monday.

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