NELSON COUNTY, Ky. — The man facing dozens of criminal charges after a school bus crash in Nelson County was back in front of a judge on Thursday.
Ricardo Gray, 29, is accused of stealing a vehicle and leading police on a chase that ended with him slamming into the bus.
Thankfully, no one was seriously, but that hasn't stopped concern within the community.
Gray appeared at the Nelson County Justice Center where he is facing 50 charges in the crash. The majority of those charges are for wanton endangerment but include evading police and reckless driving.
Gray's attorney is defending him from new legislation that could alter his case. She told the court none of these charges qualify as violent offenses under the new or old establishment.
The Nelson County Sheriff's Office said Gray led them on a chase in a stolen vehicle that didn't stop until he slammed into a school bus packed with children.
The Commonwealth's attorney made a plea deal with Gray to receive a one-year jail sentence with five years of probation.
"There's been no change in circumstance other than the public attention we've received," Gray's attorney said. "Therefore I believe the plea agreement should be honored and entered today."
Parents of the children on the bus where invited to potentially speak in court Thursday. But that did not end up happening.
Robert Richards, who witnessed the crash which put his two children in danger, still attended the hearing.
"You manage to steal a car, you take a bus out, you endanger the kids on the bus," Richards said. "My two kids were walking and you only get a year. That doesn't seem fair."
The Safer Kentucky Act includes revisions to car jacking within the state. The judge wants prosecutors and the defense the determine if Gray's alleged crime falls under the law since it was committed before the act was implemented.
"The law also says that a fleeing and evading police charge are not to be probated," Judge Joe Ballard, of the Nelson County Circuit Court Division 2, said. "So what the attorneys are arguing over is whether or not this can be applied to Mr. Gray or not."
The court could not determine Gray's parole eligibility. The judge continued the case to a later date to allow attorneys to discuss this situation.
Gray is expected back in court on Nov. 13.
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