Bus driver, 59, is charged after killing a 67-year-old choir singer crossing the road in Detroit – her EIGHTH crash since 2015
- Geraldine Johnson, 59, was charged after killing a 67-year-old woman
- This is Johnson’s second driving-related death and his eighth accident since 2015
- She cost the city $4.5million after settling a lawsuit over the 2015 death
A Detroit bus driver has been charged after mowing down and killing a beloved choir singer – the second death linked to his driving and his eighth crash since 2015.
Janice Bauer, 67, was crossing a downtown street on a green light on June 2 when a bus hit her as she turned left.
The driver, Geraldine Johnson, 59, was charged Wednesday with a travel offense causing death.
“This case is tragic on every level,” Wayne County District Attorney Kym Worthy said in a statement. ‘Janice Bauer lost her life. The facts alleged are that the defendant, Geraldine Johnson, literally ran her over with the city bus she was driving and caused her death.
Johnson appeared in court without an attorney and a plea of not guilty was entered by a magistrate.
Detroit bus driver Geraldine Johnson, 59, has been charged after killing a 67-year-old woman in the second driving-related death and eighth accident since 2015
Janice Bauer, 67 (left) was crossing a city center street on a green light on June 2 when a bus hit her as she turned left. Joey Davis (right) got off Johnson’s bus in 2015 and was hit while trying to remove a bike from a rack in front of the trainer
This is not the first death related to his driving. The city has settled a $4.5million lawsuit following the 2015 death of a man who got off a Detroit bus and was punched while trying to remove a bike from a rack in front of the coach, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday.
Video that has resurfaced following the June crash shows the heartbreaking moment Joey Davis exited Johnson’s bus in 2015 and was fatally shot.
In the video, Davis can be seen standing on the bus before exiting.
He can be seen trying to lift his bike off the front of the bus as Johnson begins to pull away.
As Johnson begins to drive away, the bus can be seen shaking noticeably – causing the 59-year-old to throw her arms in the air.
“She killed a man and was allowed to drive again. What world is this going to?’ said attorney James Harrington, who represented Davis’ family.
Johnson was fired after Bauer’s death, said Mikel Oglesby, executive director of Detroit Transit.
Video that resurfaced following the June crash shows the heartbreaking moment Davis exited Johnson’s bus in 2015 and was fatally shot
Davis can be seen trying to lift his bike off the front of the bus as Johnson begins to pull back
City settled $4.5 million lawsuit over Davis’ 2015 death
“We have conducted a full review of Ms. Johnson’s file and all related departmental policies and procedures,” Oglesby said.
“Once this review is complete, we will be in a better position to answer questions.”
In court, the judge said: “There have been accidents with a bus or personal vehicle – 2018, two in 2019, one in 2020, one in 2021, one in 2022, then we have this case today. “
An obituary for Bauer described the 67-year-old as a lover of the arts and loved by all who knew her.
“Janice was a true ‘Detroiter’ she loved the city and its offerings of baseball, jazz and other festivals, museums, arts and theater,” it read.
“She was a huge Tigers fan and a member of the Detroit Historical Society and the Rhythm Section of the Detroit Jazz Fest.
“Janice was a loving, committed and involved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend and neighbor who always greeted you with a smile. Everyone misses her very much.
DailyMail.com has contacted Bauer’s family, the Davis family and the City of Detroit for comment.
