Wylie residents learned Tuesday that a school bus driver employed by the Wylie Independent School District has been arrested in connection with a fatal traffic collision on Interstate 20 in Taylor County. The incident, which resulted in the death of pedestrian Matthew Joeckel, underscores concerns about road safety and the conduct of public‑service drivers.
According to an arrest affidavit reported by KTXS, the collision occurred about 2:45 a.m. on Oct. 17 near mile marker 275 on I‑20. Investigators allege that a truck first struck Joeckel, knocking him to the ground. Approximately three seconds later, the Wylie ISD school bus, driven by John De La Garza, struck the pedestrian.
The affidavit further alleges that De La Garza had a cellphone mounted near the steering wheel and appeared to be watching a video before the bus made contact with Joeckel. After the impact, the driver stopped, looked around the front of the bus for about 30 seconds, and then drove away without contacting emergency services or returning to check whether Joeckel needed aid.
John De La Garza was taken into custody on charges related to the fatal collision. The arrest was made by Taylor County law‑enforcement officials, who cited the affidavit’s details as the basis for the detention. The document does not specify the exact charges at this time.
Authorities have not released additional information about the truck involved in the incident, nor have they provided a timeline for any forthcoming court proceedings. The investigation remains active, with investigators continuing to examine video evidence, cellphone usage, and the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
What’s next: The case will proceed through the criminal justice system as investigators gather further evidence. Community members are advised to stay informed through official updates from Taylor County officials and the Wylie Independent School District.
Sources: ktxs.com
