News UPDATE: Cement truck responsible for fatal March 2024 crash could get parole  

BASTROP, TX – Jerry Hernandez, a cement truck driver who was responsible for causing a March 2024 collision that killed a 33-year-old man and a 5-year-old boy, could be eligible for parole. 

Fox7Austin said Hernandez was sentenced to 2 years of prison in September 2025, and his parole could be granted by April 19 of this month. 

The collision happened on March 22, 2024 around 2 p.m. on State Highway 21. Hernandez, who was said to have been impaired, swerved into the opposite lane of traffic and crashed into a school bus. The impact of that collision, then caused one of the vehicles to strike a third vehicle. 

Out of 44 students on the bus, a 5-year-old boy died, and the driver of the third vehicle, who was identified as 33-year-old Ryan Wallace, succumbed to his injuries. 

Court records show that Hernandez had used marijuana the night before the crash and cocaine the morning of the crash. 

At the time of the collision, he was also said to have had his license revoked. 

See the original stories published by our team below: 

News Update: Cement truck driver charged for deadly Bastrop wreck (Published April 3, 2024) 

BASTROP, TX – A cement truck driver who was responsible for striking a school bus that led to the death of a five-year-old boy and one other person has been charged with negligent homicide. 

News4SanAntonio confirmed this new detail Monday, indicating the cement truck driver, who has been identified as Jerry Hernandez, was suspected by authorities to have used narcotics prior to operating the truck. In addition, officials told the source that they believe Hernandez’s lack of sleep and a long day on the job could have also played a role in his ability to safely and effectively drive the truck. 

To recap, this crash happened around 2 p.m. on Friday, March 22, on State Highway 21. The 44 students and teacher, all from Tom Green Elementary School, were on their way to the school after a field trip at the Capital of Texas Zoo. After the vehicles made contact, a five-year-old boy (whose name will not be mentioned due to his status as a minor) and 33-year-old Ryan Wallace, driving a Hyundai Tucson, passed away. 

All the other students were hospitalized, and authorities mentioned that the bus driver was last recovering from his injuries. 

Hernandez also has a past of prior failed drug tests, and the source also said that court documents revealed that he was not allowed to drive a commercial vehicle at the time of the collision. 

News: Boy, 5, killed in Bastrop school bus, cement truck wreck (Published March 27, 2024) 

BASTROP, TX – A five-year-old boy succumbed to fatal injuries after the school bus he was on was struck by a cement truck on Highway 21 Friday. 

This collision happened around 2 p.m. when the driver of the cement truck swerved into the school bus’ lane. CBS Austin confirmed that the 44 students on the bus (which included the boy) were coming from the Capital of Texas Zoo. Authorities said that all of the Tom Green Elementary students were taken to a hospital and have been released. The teacher with them was also hospitalized and is currently recovering. 

The bus driver also sustained injuries and is recovering at home, but it is unclear if he was taken to a hospital. 

In addition, authorities revealed that the driver behind the school bus — 33-year-old Ryan Wallace — had also passed away. 

Our newsroom has declined to mention the boy’s name in this article due to his status as a minor. 

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