Judge Allows Defendant in Vehicular Homicide to Drive

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 15, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

On Feb. 15, a man charged in a vehicular homicide was granted the right to drive.

Gerard James is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for allegedly striking 61-year-old Monica Adams Carlson and her 85-year-old mother, Cora Louise Adams, with a bus at the intersection of 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW on Dec.19, 2018. NBC reported that Carlson was the mayor of Skagway, Alaska.

James, a bus driver for Eyre Bus Company, is currently released on personal recognizance.

Per the defense’s request, D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson said James, 45, could drive his personal vehicle, but that he’s not allowed to have any cellular device on while driving, given the allegations against him.

According to court documents, footage from the bus shows James talking on a cellphone while executing a turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue. The footage was taken moments before the bus struck Carlson and Adams who were walking in the crosswalk.

James is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 15.