Police Cite Drugs in La. Bus Wreck
His personnel file contained a doctor's note saying Bedell had congestive heart disease, a condition that should have disqualified him from a commercial license.
But police said Tuesday the marijuana Bedell used before he got behind the wheel of a charter bus was the key cause of the Mother's Day crash that killed 22 mostly elderly passengers.
A 556-page report listed Bedell's drug use as the main factor leading to the May 9 crash, saying he was "impaired" but not providing a more specific explanation. The report was released Tuesday, two days after Bedell collapsed at his suburban New Orleans home and died of a heart attack.
Bedell was fired from two other bus companies after testing positive for marijuana use. Custom Bus Charters officials have said they called those companies for Bedell's references, but were never told about the positive drug tests.
Bedell's last blood test also detected that he had been taking Benadryl, a medication used for allergies. People who take the medication are told not to drive because it can cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision and confusion.
The report ruled out other possible causes, such as the bus' mechanical condition. Bedell's extensive health problems were discussed in detail but not listed as contributing factors.
"The readings are open for interpretation," said Bedell's lawyer, Jay Zainey. "There are no statements that substantiate that he was under the influence or acting irrationally."
Authorities said they do not plan to bring any criminal charges in connection with the crash.
The report, forwarded to prosecutors last week, recommended that Bedell be charged with vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular negligent injuring, reckless operation of a vehicle and driving while intoxicated.
Bedell denied being impaired and told police the accident happened when he veered to avoid a car he thought was going to cross into his lane. The report concluded there was "insufficient data to determine what effect" the car had on Bedell.
An investigation discovered Bedell received treatment in a hospital emergency room for dehydration and extremely low blood pressure 12 hours before the accident. Earlier that day, he underwent dialysis.
The police report on Bedell shows the need for a national commercial driver database so bus companies can track drivers' drug test histories, said Victor Parra, chief executive officer of the United Motorcoach Association, a bus company trade group.
"He shouldn't have been behind the wheel of any vehicle," Parra said. "We have peoples' lives at stake and this accident was evidence of that."
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