YORK COUNTY — The truck driver involved in a fatal collision with a party bus on Interstate 64 in late 2022, which resulted in the deaths of three young individuals from Hampton Roads, revealed to investigators that the logistics company he worked for regularly tampered with mandated driving logs.
Daniel Lee Cramer, 62, from Alabama, stated that when he contacted Triton Logistics Inc., based near Chicago, an office in Lithuania would “electrically switch” his tractor-trailer to a nonexistent “co-driver,” allowing him to log additional hours as if he were not the sole operator. Cramer claimed this practice was done under Triton’s instructions, with employees advising him on what to communicate regarding his log status.
Fatal Crash Details
Cramer admitted to logging himself back in as the truck’s driver merely two hours before he crashed into the party bus around 1:38 a.m. on December 16, 2022. The impact caused both vehicles to veer off the road and tumble down an embankment, resulting in the bus’s roof being torn off and ejecting the driver along with the 22 passengers returning to Norfolk after celebrating a music career in Richmond.
The three fatalities included Montia Bouie, 19, of Chesapeake; X’Zavier Raquan Evans, 25, of Norfolk; and Jontae Kaalib Russell, 21, of Norfolk, all of whom were seated at the rear of the bus. Additionally, twenty passengers sustained injuries, with eight classified as serious.
Collision Analysis
After the crash, Cramer told officers he did not see any taillights but video evidence confirmed that the bus’s lights were functioning prior to the collision, as per the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report. The analysis found Cramer swerving nine times in the minutes leading up to the crash. He later claimed he only noticed the bus moments before the impact.
Bus Speed and Driver Statement
The bus’s driver, Antonio L. Wiggins, who was 23 at the time, reported seeing Cramer’s truck approaching quickly before he attempted to change lanes for safety. The federal investigation determined the bus was traveling around 20 mph at the time of the crash, significantly slower than initial estimates. Cramer’s truck was moving at approximately 66 mph before the impact.
Investigation Findings
Both drivers tested negative for alcohol, and neither has been charged. The investigation is ongoing, with the findings suggesting Cramer falsified his driving logs and violated federal regulations. A series of lawsuits have been filed against both Cramer and Triton Logistics, alleging that they engaged in deceptive practices to evade safety regulations.
Company Response
Triton Logistics has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. Cramer mentioned that he had worked for Triton for about two years, alleging systemic issues within the company’s operations. The safety agency is still reviewing the situation, which includes numerous documented violations correlating with the crash.
