OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) – A Texas truck driver has turned himself in to Louisiana authorities after being charged in connection with a fatal December 3 school bus wreck near Port Barre.

The Daily World reports 52-year-old David Cox of Grand Prairie has been charged with one count of negligent homicide and 21 counts of vehicular negligent injuring. Cox was the driver of an 18-wheeler that rammed into the bus from behind.

The crash, about 50 miles west of Baton Rouge, claimed the life of a 5-year-old Port Barre girl, and left 21 people, 20 of them schoolchildren, injured. Cox suffered minor injuries.

Cox’s attorney says his client posted a $36,000 bond Monday and was released from jail.

No date has been set for Cox’s arraignment. Cox faces up to five years in prison for the negligent homicide charge and a maximum fine of $500 and six months in prison for each negligent injuring charge.

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