Hays CISD Urges Against Parole for Truck Driver in Deadly School Bus Crash

School district superintendent calls for justice after 2024 collision that killed 5-year-old student and doctoral student

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged car part or piece of evidence from the school bus crash, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the stark, gritty aftermath of the tragic incident.The aftermath of a deadly collision between a school bus and a concrete truck exposes the grim reality of the tragedy's physical toll.Austin Today

The Hays Consolidated Independent School District superintendent has urged state leaders to deny parole for the truck driver convicted in a 2024 deadly collision with a school bus. Jerry Hernandez pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the crash that killed a 5-year-old student and a 33-year-old doctoral student. The school district says Hernandez is already up for parole less than a year after his sentencing, which they argue would not be justice for the victims and the community.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating impact of impaired driving and the importance of holding offenders accountable, especially when their actions result in the loss of innocent lives. The Hays CISD community is still grappling with the trauma of the crash, and denying Hernandez's parole request could provide some measure of justice and closure.

The details

In June 2025, Jerry Hernandez pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the 2024 crash that killed 5-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, who was on the school bus, and 33-year-old University of Texas doctoral student Ryan Wallace, who was traveling behind the bus. Investigators said Hernandez admitted to smoking marijuana and using cocaine before the crash.

  • The deadly crash occurred in 2024.
  • Hernandez pleaded guilty and was sentenced in June 2025.
  • In March 2026, the school district learned Hernandez was up for parole in April 2026.

The players

Jerry Hernandez

The truck driver convicted of manslaughter for the 2024 crash that killed two people.

Ulises Rodriguez Montoya

A 5-year-old student who was killed in the 2024 school bus crash.

Ryan Wallace

A 33-year-old University of Texas doctoral student who was killed in the 2024 crash while traveling behind the school bus.

Eric Wright

The superintendent of the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, who urged state leaders to deny parole for Hernandez.

Hays Consolidated Independent School District

The school district that the school bus was transporting students from when the deadly crash occurred.

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What they’re saying

“The direct victims and the greater community have barely begun to heal. Classmates who watched Ulises die are still only in the first grade. If he were granted parole at just two years' time served, it would not be justice at all.”

— Eric Wright, Superintendent, Hays Consolidated Independent School District

What’s next

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice's pardons and parole board will decide whether to grant Hernandez parole in April 2026.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the importance of holding offenders accountable, even years after the incident. The Hays CISD community is still grappling with the trauma, and denying Hernandez's parole could provide some measure of justice and closure.