AUSTIN, TX — A woman was arrested and charged after she killed a bicyclist on the University of Texas campus in January.
According to KVUE, 40-year-old Mindi Stafford has been charged with manslaughter. She is currently being held in the Bell County Jail. Her bond is set at $80,000.
Police said the collision happened when both Stafford and the bicyclist were headed northbound on the 2200 block of San Jacinto Blvd. near the Texas Memorial Stadium.
Stafford was driving a Capital Metro bus when she hit 39-year-old John Diaz. Reports said Diaz was trapped under the bus and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
According to KVUE, court documents state that Diaz was traveling in the empty diagonal parking spaces close to the curb when he was struck by the bus. The bicycle was equipped with a white light on its handlebars and a red light below the seat.
The bus drifted out of its lane of travel and into the angled parking spaces, striking Diaz, according to police.
Police say Stafford did not appear to turn the steering wheel, apply the brakes or take any preventative action to avoid the collision.
Officials said her cell phone and four medications were seized in the investigation. However, during a press conference on Wednesday, police said Stafford was not under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drugs during the time of the incident.
