Ex-Houston County school bus driver sentenced in fatal crash that killed first grader

A former Houston County school bus driver has been sentenced to three years in prison for a 2018 school bus crash where a child was killed.

Shalita Jackson Harris, 31, of Warner Robins, was convicted of felony vehicular homicide and a reckless driving, a misdemeanor, following a week-long trial in Houston County Superior Court last week and was sentenced Monday.

Arlana Haynes, a 6-year-old Parkwood Elementary School student, was critically injured in the afternoon crash Jan. 29, 2018. The first grader died early the next morning at the Medical Center, Navicent Health.

Harris’ sentence includes seven years of probation upon release from prison, court records show. She also received first offender status, which means if she successfully completes her probation, the convictions will come off her record.

“I think it’s a fair verdict,” said Houston County Chief Assistant District Attorney Erikka Williams. “I think the sentence is fair considering she had no prior criminal history.

“In vehicular homicide, no one starts out intending to take a life,” Williams said.

Felony vehicular homicide has sentencing range of three to 15 years imprisonment, according to Georgia law.

Jurors found Harris not guilty of speeding and another count of vehicular homicide.

Harris was driving a 2000 Bluebird school bus north on Forest Park Drive when she entered a curve and lost control of the bus. The bus left the roadway and rolled onto its side.

Arlana was ejected from the bus.

The indictment stated Harris was unable to control the vehicle and a child died as a result, Williams said.

Harris was taking more than 35 students home from Parkwood and Pearl Stephens elementary schools on Bus No. 0009 when the bus crashed as it was headed downhill.

The bus slid for about 15 to 20 feet. Five other students were hurt in the crash.

This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 9:39 AM.