SAN ANTONIO - You've probably done it yourself; used your cell phone while driving. But a News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters investigation reveals some VIA drivers are using their phones - and putting you at risk on the road.
News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooter Brian Collister uncovered shocking video to prove it. That's because VIA mounted surveillance cameras on all its buses about a year ago.
Since then, the cameras have caught some drivers breaking the rules and using their cell phones while they were driving.
One video shows a VIA driver driving down Loop 410 in rush hour traffic. In the video, you can see the driver was looking down and not at the stopped traffic ahead.
Instead of slowing down, the bus rams right into an SUV being driven by Betty Jo Hummel.
"It was horrible," said Hummel. "It was the most horrific thing I've probably ever lived through."
Hummel said she never saw the bus coming as she sat in her SUV. She also didn't know the accident was caught on tape until the News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters showed it to her.
"It's the scariest thing ever," said Hummel. "I mean, I was in tears. I really was in tears having to watch it again and relive it."
Hummel told us she's surprised the accident last June didn't kill her.
"As my face was thrown into the airbag and smoke everywhere. I just started shaking, I really did," described Hummel. "Things were flying all over the car."
Hummel was also surprised to learn the driver of the bus, Adrian Perez, was texting right before the accident happened.
"I had no clue. I knew something must have taken his eyes off the road," she said.
The VIA Trans bus had two handicapped passengers onboard.
But the video shows, instead of watching the road, Perez took out his cell phone and started texting for almost six full minutes before the crash.
By the time he saw the traffic up ahead, it was too late.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize using a cell phone while driving is dangerous. So dangerous, in fact, using it while driving a VIA bus could get you fired.
"We put in our newsletters to stay off the phones ... and don't use the phones," said union president, David Benavides. "We're always emphasizing that because of the safety. When someone uses a phone, it distracts them from the operating of the bus. We're strongly against it."
But apparently a lot of VIA drivers are not getting the message. VIA says it has fired three bus operators in the last few months after they were caught on tape using their phones, including Adrian Perez.
The News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters have uncovered several more videos where drivers have been busted for violating that policy since the cameras were first installed last June.
One driver was caught texting not once, but five times during their route.
Another was caught on tape chatting on his phone after reaching into his pocket for it.
Another driver was going 65-miles an hour down the highway and texting. You can see her taking her eyes off the road in the video.
Another operator had to cover his mouth so the person he was talking to could hear him.
And yet another was blabbing away on his bluetooth device - another violation of VIA policy.
The union has sent out notices telling the operators not to use their phones, but they're still using them.
"Well we're trying," said Benavides. "We're trying because we encourage the operator not to use the phone."
For Betty Jo Hummel, who faces thousands in medical bills and a lifetime of pain from the accident, she just wants VIA drivers to finally get the message.
"I definitely still have back pain, I have neck pain. My eyes actually went cross for three weeks," said Hummel. "It's just like, pay attention to what you're doing! Pay attention when you have so many lives at stake. It shouldn't happen. It shouldn't happen."
Most of the drivers who were using their phones we're caught because a passenger called in a tip.
If you see a VIA driver using their phone, call VIA and report them at 362-2020. Make sure you give them the bus number.
Tuesday night at 10, the News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters show you more videos of accidents involving VIA buses, including one huge accident on Fredericksburg Road just a few months ago. See what happened inside both those buses, Tuesday night at 10.
