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CTA: Bus Driver In Fatal Accident On The Job Less Than A Year

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The investigation continues into Tuesday's CTA bus crash on Michigan Avenue downtown.

Police and CTA are reviewing video from a number of security cameras, including those aboard the bus itself, to determine what happened, and if the driver will face criminal charges. They also are checking to see if there was a mechanical failure.

So far, the 48-year-old driver, Donald Barnes, has been written two traffic citations -- for failing to stop at a red light and failing to exercise due care.

CTA spokesman Brian Steele said that the transit agency hired Barnes last Sept. 2, attended five weeks of training and has been driving a bus since March. Steele said the 148/Clarendon-Michigan Express was his last run of the day. He worked a split shift driving one route (22/Clark) in the morning and two others to the north and northwest sides (152/Addison and 153/Clarendon-LaSalle Express) Tuesday afternoon before the fatal run, which was en route to its first stop.

Sources tell CBS 2's Brad Edwards it appears the bus stopped at the red completely, then proceeded through the red light for reasons unknown reasons.

Barnes was alone aboard the bus at the time. He has been interviewed by police and CTA officials, and has been placed on leave. Steele said there were no obvious signs of drug or alcohol abuse, and said blood samples were taken.

Steele said the bus involved in the accident had air-operated brakes and that he was licensed to operate such buses carrying passengers.

Sources tell CBS 2 he had a minor accident in November backing a bus into a taxi bumper, so Barnes got additional training, according to CTA insiders.

Sources say he had no other violations or tickets.

Friends say the woman who died in the crash was on her way to meet relatives for dinner.

The woman, 51-year-old Aimee Coath, is a long time resident of Flossmoor and a mother of two adult children. People who knew her say they are shocked to her about her sudden death.

Jim Mitos is a Flossmoor village trustee who knew Coath. He calls her wonderful person who was involved in her community.

From his home in Florida, Coath's brother told CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez Amy was the youngest of six kids she had just called him Monday to see if he had received a save the date she had sent out for her daughter's wedding this fall.

Coath's daughter 27-year-old Elaine Wilson and David Stern had posted their wedding plans online. Stern works for US Congressman Bob Dold who said in a statement

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