Louisiana's Third Circuit Court of Appeal has ruled the medical records of 20 students injured in the fatal 2010 collision of an 18-wheeler and school bus cannot be used at in truck driver's negligent homicide trial.
Kindergartener Karen Stoute died after David R. Cox's 18-wheeler slammed into her school bus in St. Landry Parish back on Dec. 3, 2010.
Cox, of Dallas, Texas, is facing one count of negligent homicide and 20 counts of negligent injury. The homicide charge carries a sentence of two to five years behind bars without probation
An attorney representing Cox says the district's attorney's office will be free to use the records if it chooses to go forward with the 20 negligent injury charges.
The accident took place about on U.S. 190 east of Opelousas. Troopers say the bus warning lights were flashing when the bus was rear ended by Cox's 18-wheeler.