Truck driver charged with killing teen in East Texas accident

Authorities arrested a truck driver who struck and killed a teen as he was getting off a school bus Thursday. 

Gregory Jackson, 41, was charged with criminally negligent homicide, according to a report by ABC 13. 

Police say a Livingston ISD school bus was heading northbound on US-59 when it stopped in the outside lane to drop off a student. The bus had turned on its flashing red lights and extended its stop sign, the report states. 

Autumn Witt, 28, was sitting in a Toyota when a semi-truck struck the back of the car. The Texas Department of Public Safety said the 18-wheel truck, driven by Jackson, veered right and hit the teen in a driveway. 

The teen was pronounced dead at the scene. Jackson and Witt did not suffer injuries from the incident. 

Jackson was employed by Livingston Trucking. According to records, the company had been involved in seven crashes over the past two years, three of the seven resulted in injuries. 

Livingston ISD released a statement on Facebook Thursday after it was confirmed that the teen had died. 

“At times like this, we are reminded how precious life can be and how fragile each life truly is.

“It is sad when our district loses a member of its family. It is even more tragic when such a young life is taken away from us. 

“We extend our thoughts and sincere condolences to family and friends,” the post said. 

Livingston ISD told ABC 13 that they plan to review the safety of that bus route, which could result in possible changes. 

Jackson was booked into the Polk County Jail. 

The investigation is ongoing.