A tragic accident in Milwaukee has resulted in a prison sentence for a bus driver who fell asleep behind the wheel and fatally struck a pedestrian on Christmas Day. The incident shocked the community and raised serious concerns about driver fatigue and road safety. The driver, Montrell Pharm, has now been sentenced after pleading no contest to charges related to the fatal crash that killed 79-year-old Robert Clemons.
Bus Driver Sentenced for Fatal Christmas Day Crash
Montrell Pharm, 53, has been sentenced to prison for his role in a deadly crash that occurred in Milwaukee in 2024.
Court records show that Pharm pleaded no contest in January to two charges:
- Homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle
- Reckless driving causing great bodily harm
Milwaukee County Court Judge David Swanson sentenced Pharm to two years in prison for each charge. Both sentences will run at the same time.
After completing his prison term, Pharm will also serve three years of extended supervision.
Crash Happened While Victim Was Fixing Truck
The deadly accident happened shortly after 11 p.m. on Christmas Day near North 47th Street and Villard Avenue in Milwaukee.
Police officers responded to reports of a serious crash and arrived to find a disturbing scene.
According to investigators:
- A bus and a truck were heavily damaged in the roadway
- Blood was visible on the street leading to where the bus had stopped
- The bus had damage to its front end and a broken passenger-side windshield
Authorities soon learned that the victim, Robert Clemons, had been working on a truck with his grandson when the crash occurred.
The truck was parked on the street, and the two were walking near the driver’s side of the vehicle when the bus struck them.
Victim Run Over as Bus Continued Moving
Police say the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus hit the parked vehicles before striking Clemons.
The impact caused devastating injuries. Clemons was run over by the bus during the crash.
His grandson tried desperately to get the bus driver’s attention, yelling and attempting to stop the vehicle because Clemons was still underneath it.
However, due to injuries he suffered in the crash, the grandson quickly became exhausted and could not continue.
Other people nearby eventually managed to signal the bus driver to stop about a block away.
Emergency responders later removed Clemons from under the bus, but he died at the scene.
Bus Camera Footage Revealed Driver Was Asleep
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from cameras installed on the bus.
The video reportedly showed the bus driving mainly in a bike lane before the crash occurred. The bus then hit one parked vehicle and pushed it into another vehicle before striking the pedestrian.
After the collision, the bus moved into the main traffic lane, briefly stopped, and then continued driving before finally stopping near North 48th Street and Villard Avenue.
A second camera inside the bus focused on the driver.
According to police, the footage showed Pharm repeatedly closing his eyes and appearing to fall asleep while the bus was both stopped and moving.
Investigators said the video showed him making slight steering adjustments with his eyes closed.
At one point, the driver appeared to be jolted forward when the crash happened. He then briefly stopped the bus before moving again and finally applying the parking brake.
Driver Described Long Work Hours Before Crash
During questioning by investigators, Pharm spoke about his demanding work schedule.
According to the complaint, he had worked several long shifts before the incident:
| Work Schedule Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Consecutive long shifts | Four days |
| Length of shifts | About 14 hours each |
| One shorter shift | 8½ hours |
| Sleep before crash | About six hours |
Pharm reportedly told investigators he remembered looking ahead and believing the road was clear.
He also mentioned health concerns, saying he was pre-diabetic and did not have health insurance or proper medication. He suggested his body may have shut down due to fatigue or health issues.
Following the crash, Pharm lost his job with the Milwaukee County Transit System.
Driver Apologizes During Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, Pharm addressed the victim’s family and expressed remorse.
He told the family he was deeply sorry and asked for forgiveness, describing the crash as an unintentional accident.
Prosecutors also showed video footage during the hearing that captured the driver appearing to fall asleep.
The prosecution argued that one troubling aspect of the incident was the lack of immediate action after the crash, noting that the driver did not exit the bus to check what had happened.
