MCTS fatal bus crash; trial date set for driver
Trial date set for MCTS bus driver charged in fatal crash
Montrell Pharm, the Milwaukee County bus driver charged in a fatal crash on Christmas, is going to trial in 2026.
MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee County bus driver charged in a fatal crash on Christmas is going to trial.
What we know:
A plea hearing was scheduled for 52-year-old Montrell Pharm on Thursday, July 24, but the hearing was adjourned.
Montrell Pharm
He was charged with the following:
- Homicide by negligent operation/vehicle
- Reckless driving – cause great bodily harm.
The backstory:
The Milwaukee County Transit System bus crash happened near 47th and Villard just after 11 p.m. on Dec. 25. A criminal complaint states police arrived to find two damaged vehicles in the roadway and a trail of blood. The bus had front-end damage and a broken windshield.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
One man, identified as 79-year-old Robert Clemons, was run over and killed. Another man was injured. The victim who survived told police, per the complaint, that they were working to fix a truck when the bus hit them and the vehicle. He suffered leg injuries and a broken arm. Police noted the vehicles that the bus hit were legally parked.
Montrell Pharm
Surveillance shows the moment it happened. Prosecutors say Pharm appeared to be falling asleep at the wheel before crashing.
Dig deeper:
MCTS records reveal that Pharm was involved in an incident on Oct. 15, 2024 while operating an MCTS bus in which he was involved in a "preventable accident" at 76th and Burleigh in which he "appeared to fall asleep causing his bus to make contact with the rear of a stationary vehicle at a red light."
Milwaukee County fatal bus crash, driver appears in court
A former Milwaukee County Transit System bus driver charged in a fatal crash made his initial court appearance on Thursday, Feb. 20.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Records obtained from the MCTS revealed that Pharm has undergone fatigue training and has been instructed on what to do in the event he feels too tired/fatigued to operate a bus, per the complaint.
What's next:
A final pre-trial is scheduled for Oct. 15 and the jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026.
The Source: Information in this report is from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.