BOSTON, June 4, 2013—A tour bus driver from Philadelphia was arraigned today on charges that he was driving negligently when his vehicle collided with a highway overpass, leaving several passengers injured and one paralyzed, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

SAMUEL J. JACKSON (D.O.B. 1/10/46) was arraigned today on one count of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, as well as the civil infractions of failing to obey a sign on a Department of Conservation and Recreation roadway and operating a bus on a DCR roadway.

Jackson was not arrested after the Feb. 2 collision on Soldiers Field Road and attended today’s proceedings after traveling from Philadelphia. Prosecutors did not request monetary bail, nor was any imposed.

Jackson was charged after a meticulous investigation by Massachusetts State Police investigators assigned to Troop H, the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, and Suffolk prosecutors.

Investigators could not determine the speed of the bus when it struck the top of the Western Avenue Bridge in Brighton while travelling eastbound, but they noted an abundance of warning signs along Jackson’s route, including some illuminated by flashing lights, and hanging chains intended to notify drivers of the low clearance.

At the time of the crash, the bus was carrying dozens of Pennsylvania teens taking part in a non-profit leadership program. Most injuries were minor, but one passenger suffered a life-altering spinal cord injury.

Jackson was represented at arraignment by attorney Barrett Hyde. He will return to court on July 24.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.