A former Tennessee school bus driver who was convicted after a 2016 school bus crash that killed six children is facing a new series of felony charges after authorities say he attacked his former girlfriend inside her apartment and tripped her young daughter as the child attempted to run for help.
According to jail records, 34-year-old Johnthony Walker was booked into the Davidson County Downtown Detention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday.
He has been charged with:
- Aggravated assault by strangulation
- Aggravated burglary
- Child abuse without injury
- Interference with an emergency call
- Failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements
The charges stem from an incident that authorities say occurred at the apartment of Walker’s former girlfriend.
Authorities Say Woman Was Attacked Inside Her Home
According to arrest affidavits obtained by local media, Walker allegedly went to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment on Thursday.
Investigators allege he unlawfully entered the residence before tackling the woman.
Police say that as the victim attempted to call 911, Walker grabbed her cellphone to prevent her from contacting emergency services.
Authorities further allege that Walker punched, kicked, and strangled the woman during the assault.
Police Say Child Was Tripped While Trying to Get Help
According to investigators, the victim’s 4-year-old daughter attempted to run from the apartment to seek help during the attack.
Police allege Walker intentionally tripped the child, causing her to fall before she could leave the residence.
The incident led to an additional charge of child abuse without injury.
Woman Suffered Multiple Injuries
When officers arrived at the apartment, they found the woman suffering from several injuries.
According to police, she had sustained:
- A fractured arm
- Bruises
- Multiple scratches
Authorities arrested Walker following the investigation.
Convicted in Deadly 2016 School Bus Crash
Walker first gained national attention after a fatal school bus crash in Hamilton County, Tennessee, on Nov. 21, 2016.
At the time, he was driving a school bus carrying 37 students from Woodmore Elementary School in Chattanooga.
According to investigators, Walker was traveling at least 20 mph over the posted speed limit when he lost control of the bus.
The vehicle overturned, crashed into a tree, and was nearly split in half by the impact.
The crash claimed the lives of six children between the ages of 6 and 10, while more than a dozen other students were injured.
Criminal Convictions Followed Crash
Walker was later convicted of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the crash.
According to the Davidson County District Attorney General’s Office, he was sentenced in 2020 to serve four years in prison.
Later Sex Crime Conviction
While Walker’s appeal of the bus crash conviction was pending, prosecutors said he admitted to having sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl on five separate occasions.
He later pleaded guilty to aggravated statutory rape.
As a result of that conviction, Walker was ordered to register as a sex offender, a requirement that authorities now allege he failed to comply with, leading to one of the charges in the latest case.
New Criminal Case Pending
Walker remains in custody at the Davidson County Downtown Detention Center as the new criminal case proceeds.
The investigation into the alleged assault remains ongoing, and prosecutors are pursuing multiple felony charges related to the reported attack on his former girlfriend and her young daughter.
