Suggestions made to reform day care transportation
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?The tragedy that occurred in Memphis on the morning of April 4th should never be repeated in our state,? said Sundquist. ?We can?t bring those children back, but we can take decisive action to save lives from this day forward.?
On April 4 a van belonging to Tippy Toes Learning Academy was traveling on Interstate 240 when it veered to the right and careened along a guard rail, before smashing into the support of a highway overpass. The driver and four young children were killed. Two additional children were left in critical condition.
Marijuana was reportedly found on the body of the driver, Wesley Hudson. In December 2000 Hudson pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana. According to the state Department of Human Services, which regulates day care centers, the drug charge should have prevented him from working at a day care center.
The governor?s reforms are based on the recommendations of an independent review panel he appointed shortly after the deadly crash occurred. Changes include requiring all DHS-licensed child care providers to use vehicles that meet federal motor vehicle safety standards by Jan. 1, 2005, requiring all vehicles carrying four or more children to have a monitor on board along with the driver, and requiring criminal background checks before drivers begin work.
?Some of these changes will be costly, but we cannot put a price on our children?s safety,? said Sundquist.
All but one of the recommendations can be adopted by the Department of Human Services through rule making. Requiring criminal background checks for drivers, however, requires approval of the General Assembly.
The Department of Human Services will make a final decision on the recommendations within a few months.