Judge Stunned by Drunk Driver Who Smacked a School Bus and Set It Completely on Fire

[00:00:06]All right. Ms. Miles, raise your right hand and let's pledge under oath.

[00:00:18]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:00:19]>> State your full name for the record.

[00:00:20]>> Rebecca Ann Miles.

[00:00:22]>> you're here on a multi-count indictment in docket number 2025 CR 59 and that you're also here on 2025 CR 294 on a charge of domestic assault. It's been indicated that you want to enter a plea of no contest to uh four of the counts in the first indictment and that the second one will be dismissed as a part of that along with the other counts.

[00:00:44]Have you seen or been shown a copy [clears throat] of those charges, talked them over with Mr. Flanigan and you and he discussed the range of punishments you're facing as well as possible defenses you might have?

[00:00:54]>> Yes, sir.

[00:00:55]>> Ms. Miles, it's indicated that you want to enter a plea of of uh no Would you Use the jail phone if you please.

[00:01:02]Um Ms. Miles, it's indicated you want to enter a plea of no contest or nolo contendere. All that means is you're not going to admit you did anything wrong, but you're not going to contest the state's evidence and as a result of that the state will tell me what their evidence would be at trial and I will use that evidence to find you guilty according to this agreement. You understand that?

[00:01:20]>> Yes, sir.

[00:01:21]>> Understand that you have a right, however, to plead not guilty and to all charges and to have a speedy and public trial by jury.

[00:01:27]>> Yes, sir.

[00:01:28]>> You understand that if you want to trial, you would have the right to have a lawyer and have one appointed if you cannot afford your own.

[00:01:33]>> Yes, sir.

[00:01:34]>> Do you understand that trial you would be presumed to be innocent until such time if ever the state proved your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of all 12 jurors and their verdict would have to be unanimous before you could be convicted of anything.

[00:01:46]>> Yes, sir.

[00:01:47]>> Do you understand that at trial you and Mr. Flanigan could confront and cross-examine every witness the state calls to testify against you and you can bring in your own witnesses by using a subpoena.

[00:01:57]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:01:58]>> At trial, you would be presumed to be innocent. You would not have to testify or prove anything. Do you understand that there would no inference of guilt would arise because you did not testify at your own trial?

[00:02:08]>> Yes, sir.

[00:02:08]>> Do you understand that if you went to trial and you were found guilty, you could appeal that conviction and the sentence imposed to the Court of Criminal Appeals and have a lawyer appointed to help you with that appeal?

[00:02:17]>> Yes, sir.

[00:02:18]>> Do you understand that by entering a plea of no contest to these four counts, you're waiving your right to contest your guilt or innocence on those charges?

[00:02:26]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:02:27]>> Do you understand that that's going to result in four felony convictions, uh four convictions?

[00:02:32]And uh I think it would be all uh one's a misdemeanor and that at that point in time we would then be setting a sentencing hearing for the court to deter for me to determine what your sentence would be.

[00:02:45]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:02:45]>> that?

[00:02:46]>> Yes.

[00:02:46]>> Do you understand that while you're waiving your right to contest your guilt or innocence to those four counts, you're preserving your right to appeal whatever I did in a sentencing hearing?

[00:02:56]Do you understand that?

[00:02:57]>> Do you understand everything I've explained to you?

[00:02:59]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:03:00]>> [clears throat and cough] >> Uh do you wish to plead no contest according to this agreement and waive your right to a hearing?

[00:03:05]>> Yes, sir, I do.

[00:03:07]>> Are you satisfied with your attorney's I don't know. First of all, let me ask this. Is your decision to plead no contest today voluntary?

[00:03:14]>> Yes.

[00:03:14]>> Is anybody forcing you to do this against your will?

[00:03:16]>> No, sir.

[00:03:17]>> Do you understand I cannot accept your plea unless I'm satisfied that there are facts to support a finding of guilt in your case?

[00:03:23]>> Yes.

[00:03:24]>> And I need you to listen as the state tells me what their evidence would be if this case went to trial. You'll step aside for just a moment let the state come up to the podium.

[00:03:34]>> [clears throat] >> Your honor, if this were to proceed forward to trial, the state would intend to show that on or around January the 22nd of 2025 Ms. Sanders was operating a school bus for National Christian.

[00:03:49]On the the bus was a 6-year-old with the initials K.O.

[00:03:54]They were going down Highway 70 and were going to turn left onto Highway 96 in the left turn lane.

[00:04:02]The state would intend to show witness coming from Highway 70 going towards Dickson before approaching the intersection observed a red car being operated in a dangerous manner.

[00:04:12]Then when going around the curve, this red car ultimately struck the school bus causing it to ignite and catch fire.

[00:04:19]The driver, Ms. Sanders, and the 6-year-old had to get off the bus and run up the hill to the nearby church for safety reasons.

[00:04:27]At that point, whenever officers arrived, and on body camera, the bus is fully engulfed in flames. This did place Ms. Sanders and the 6-year-old at risk of serious injury.

[00:04:38]On scene, Ms. Miles had a gash on her head, but ultimately when Sergeant Deloach went to speak with her, he noticed a strong smell of alcohol from her.

[00:04:49]A blood vial was ultimately collected showing her to have a.113 BAC on top of mixing that with her oxymorphone, 9 nanograms of that as well mixed with it, which TBI would say would have a synergistic effect ultimately enhancing the effects of each other, not simply 1 + 1.

[00:05:08]Inside of her purse, Ms. Miles did have a prescription for the oxymorphone as well as a handgun.

[00:05:17]Ms. Miles is a convicted felon and she is ultimately previously been convicted for aggravated assault, which would make this a class B felony.

[00:05:27]This is noted on the plea petition for your honor. Ultimately, with the sentencing hearing, we'll be looking at 8 to 12 years, which will be the manner of service and ultimately the length will be decided by your honor.

[00:05:39]As required under TCA 40-35-501, both the child endangerment as well as the felon in possession of the firearm are 100% offenses. That is notated on the plea petition.

[00:05:52]Uh those are the facts that the state would intend to show for purposes of the DUI with the 0.113 and the oxymorphone, the reckless endangerment of the bus driver, the child endangerment of KO, and the possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Thank you.

[00:06:08]>> All right, Ms. Miles, I'm not asking you to agree with those facts, but do you understand that's what the state's evidence would be if you went to trial?

[00:06:15]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:06:15]>> Still wish to plead no contest?

[00:06:17]>> Yes, sir.

[00:06:18]>> Were you satisfied with your attorney services?

[00:06:20]>> Yes, sir.

[00:06:21]>> You feel that Mr. Flanagan's done a good job of representing you competently?

[00:06:24]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:06:25]>> Mr. Flanagan, do you know of any reason she should not enter these pleas?

[00:06:28]>> No, your >> And we need to go ahead then and set a sentencing hearing. I do find that she is guilty in count two of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

[00:06:38]Um count four, I found her guilty of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

[00:06:43]Count six, I found her guilty of child endangerment of a child less than 8 years of age.

[00:06:49]And count eight, I found her guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

[00:06:53]We will then set a sentencing hearing.

[00:06:57]I assume that September would probably be as early as we can get that done.

[00:07:07]>> It'd be good if you would allow us >> [snorts] >> July?

[00:07:18]>> Yes.

[00:07:22]>> My criminal docket is on the 14th of July.

[00:07:29]VOP day would be 28th. We can set it at 1:00 on the 28th of July.

[00:07:36]>> Please, cuz I'll be in trial on August 1st.

[00:07:39]>> Is the 28th okay? All right.

[00:07:42]Mr. Flanagan, is that all right for you?

[00:07:44]>> It is, your honor.

[00:07:45]>> Let's set it 1:00 Let's do it at 1:30 just to be safe, but 1:30.

[00:07:55]We need it uh pre-sentence report, yes.

[00:08:16]July the 28th.

[00:08:28]What?

[00:08:30]>> Okay.

[00:08:31]>> All right, at the jail, is uh are you Ronnie McCoy?

[00:08:38]>> You're good. You're good.

[00:08:39]>> Um Your Honor, this is Mr. Ray Dorman.

[00:08:42]Uh subject to the court's approval, he will uh settle his case uh which is here before this court by information today.

[00:08:48]Uh a negotiated settlement was was uh arrived upon in General Sessions Court, so we're here today.

[00:08:54]Um pursuant to the information charging a DUI fourth, Mr. Dorman will uh plead no contest to the offense of DUI fourth, a Class E felony.

[00:09:03]Uh he will His punishment will be 1 year TDOC at Range 1 suspended to state probation, but for the 150 days jail uh that he must serve. He'll have credit for time he's already served. There'll be a $3,000 fine, license revocation for 8 years. He has in-person reporting as a condition of his probation, and um if he has any other cases, any other sentences, this this would be concurrent with that.

[00:09:28]And then uh he has uh jail credits reflected on this uh police sheet, and uh he's going to sign where defendant is indicated.

[00:09:37]>> I can move it down.

[00:09:38]>> There you go.

[00:09:39]>> I can move it right there and we'll use that right at the edge right there.

[00:09:43]And then, your honor, as well, there is a notice of DUI punishment, which I have gone over with uh with Mr. Dorman, and he's going to sign and date that as well.

[00:10:02]I'm going to move this after this so you >> There we go. That's probably better.

[00:10:07]>> This is uh May 27th, 2026.

[00:10:12]Yes, sir.

[00:10:19]>> All right.

[00:10:20]Okay, and I'm signing as Dorman.

[00:10:26]>> And I believe that there is also a uh information which the defendant will need to sign as well.

[00:10:32]>> I have it right here.

[00:10:33]>> Yes, sir.

[00:10:35]>> All right. One more thing.

[00:10:37]>> [clears throat] >> So, this is the information we talked about. This is where you'll sign as a defendant right here.

[00:10:46]>> I'm going to get him. I'm going to try to find the very curvature of this podium.

[00:10:55]>> There you go.

[00:10:56]I've already signed it.

[00:10:57]Prosecutor signed it.

[00:11:00]This uh waives the um right to a jury trial. So, you can sign your name quickly.

[00:11:05]The court's going to ask you >> Mr. Dorman, raise your right hand. Let's place you under oath.

[00:11:15]Thank you. Step up to the microphone there. State your full legal name for the record.

[00:11:19]>> Ray Ozro Dorman.

[00:11:20]>> Mr. Dorman, you're here today uh proceeding on what we call a criminal information. I want to make sure you understand what that is. I know your lawyer has done a good job of explaining it. Every person who is charged with a crime that can carries the possibility of incarceration has an absolute right to have the evidence against him reviewed by an independent body called the grand jury of that county to determine whether or not they find probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed.

[00:11:45]Um you have the right to expedite the disposition of your case by waiving that by entering a criminal information and waiving the grand jury step. And that's what's happening today. Do you understand that's what you're doing?

[00:11:57]>> Yes, sir.

[00:11:58]>> Do you understand that we'll proceed here as though it's the same it'll be the same as if you'd gone through the grand jury. We're just skipping that one step. You understand that?

[00:12:06]>> Yes, sir.

[00:12:07]>> Do you understand what you're charged with that you're driving you're charged with driving under the influence on a fourth offense which is a class E felony?

[00:12:15]>> Yes, sir.

[00:12:16]>> You understand what the evidence [clears throat] is against you and have you and Mr. Talbot had a chance to talk about it, discuss the range of punishment your punishment you're facing as well as any possible defenses you might have?

[00:12:26]>> Yes, sir.

[00:12:28]>> Well, it's indicated that you want to enter this plea of a nolo contendere.

[00:12:32]That simply means you're not going to admit you did anything but you're not going to contest the state's evidence and they'll tell me what their evidence would be if this case went to trial and that's the evidence I will use to find you guilty according to this agreement.

[00:12:44]You understand that?

[00:12:45]>> Yes, sir.

[00:12:46]>> Do you understand that you have a right to plead not guilty and to have a speedy and public trial by jury in this court?

[00:12:51]>> Yes, sir.

[00:12:52]>> You understand that trial you would have the right to have a lawyer and have one appointed as I've done with a public defender.

[00:12:58]>> Yes, sir.

[00:12:58]>> Do you understand that at trial you'd be presumed to be innocent until such time if ever the state proved your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt >> [clears throat] >> to the satisfaction of all 12 jurors and their verdict would have to be unanimous before you could be convicted of anything?

[00:13:11]>> Yes, sir.

[00:13:12]>> Do you understand that at trial you and Mr. Talbot would have the right to confront and cross-examine every witness the state called to testify against you and you can bring in your own witnesses by the use of a subpoena.

[00:13:23]>> Yes, sir.

[00:13:24]>> You understand that you You be presumed to be innocent, you would not have to testify or prove anything at trial and no inference of guilt would arise because you did not testify at your own trial.

[00:13:33]>> Yes, sir.

[00:13:34]>> You understand about if [clears throat] you went to trial and you were found guilty, you could appeal that conviction and the sentence imposed to the Court of Criminal Appeals and have a lawyer appointed to help you with that appeal.

[00:13:44]>> Yes, sir.

[00:13:45]>> Do you understand about pleading no contest, you're waiving your right to the trial and to the appeal. All I'm going to do is approve what your lawyer has worked out.

[00:13:52]But you understand and have that this is going to be on your record to make more severe the punishment you will receive if you're ever again convicted of a crime.

[00:14:02]>> Yes, sir.

[00:14:03]>> I've been handed a document called a notice of DUI and punishment that your lawyer has indicated you and he have gone over. Is that your signature on that document?

[00:14:10]>> Yes, sir.

[00:14:10]>> Do you believe you fully understand how every case, every conviction carries a greater punishment the next go around?

[00:14:17]>> Yes, sir.

[00:14:18]>> [clears throat] >> Any questions about that form?

[00:14:21]>> No, sir.

[00:14:23]>> All right. Do you understand whether it is your decision to enter this plea voluntary?

[00:14:28]>> Yes, sir.

[00:14:29]>> Is anybody forcing you to do this against your will?

[00:14:32]You understand I can't accept your plea unless I'm satisfied that you are guilty and that the facts support it. Do you understand that?

[00:14:37]>> Yes, sir.

[00:14:38]>> I need you to answer out loud on the record rather than just nod your head.

[00:14:41]All right. Then I want you to listen as the state tells me what their evidence would be if this case went to trial, please.

[00:14:46]>> Yes, sir.

[00:14:52]>> They would show that on or about May 11th of this year around here.

[00:14:57]Officer Weaver with this initiated a traffic stop of the and then this woman speeding in the city of Officer Weaver noticed that the air meter This woman did not have anything to air meter.

[00:15:20]Do you understand what contesting >> All right, Mr. Dorman, I'm not asking you to agree with those facts, but you understand that's what the state's evidence would be if you went to trial.

[00:15:41]>> Yes, sir.

[00:15:41]>> wish to plead no contest?

[00:15:43]>> Yes, sir.

[00:15:44]>> Are you satisfied with your attorney's services?

[00:15:46]>> I am.

[00:15:46]>> You feel like Mr. Talbott has done a good job of representing you confidentially?

[00:15:50]>> Yes, sir, I do.

[00:15:51]>> you don't have any reason he should not enter this plea?

[00:15:53]>> No, sir.

[00:15:54]>> Anything further from the state?

[00:15:56]>> No, your honor.

[00:15:57]>> Then Ray Owens Road, Dorman, in docket number 2026-CR-148, upon your plea of nolo contendere to DUI fourth offense, I find you guilty, sentencing you to 1 year in the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

[00:16:10]That will be suspended to state probation after service of 150 days in jail, credit for time served, ordered to pay a $3,000 fine. Your license to drive a vehicle is revoked for 8 years. You must report in person, and this will be concurrent with any other uh cases that you may have.

[00:16:30]Thank you.

[00:16:30]>> Thank you, your honor.

[00:16:38]>> All right, who do we have next?

[00:16:41]>> What's next, Judge? It's Jason Bradford.

[00:16:53]>> Judge, Mr. Bradford intends on entering an agreement. Um I believe that he is to be arraigned still on one the second amended violation, is my understanding.

[00:17:04]And >> Do we have a second amended violation of community corrections?

[00:17:15]All right, if it was just filed today, we'll need to go ahead and We need to serve him with it, and then we'll give him a copy at the arraignment.

[00:17:26]>> [clears throat] >> To arraign you, this is alleging you a placement probation on or about July 27th, 2022 for probation violation. You were transferred to community corrections. And that uh the original charges were child abuse and under eight of years of age and neglect, that's what he needs to be served with.

[00:17:49]And it's alleges you violated your community corrections probation by violation of rule two, which states you were to report to your officer on a regular basis, that you have not reported to Dixon since May 18th of 2023.

[00:18:04]Show that he has been arraigned, if we have not guilty is entered.

[00:18:07]And we will set him for the June 29th.

[00:18:13]Pardon?

[00:18:14]>> We are arraigning him today.

[00:18:15]>> Oh, you do today? Okay. That's fine.

[00:18:19]>> So, Judge, on the violation, amended violation, and second amended, um Mr. Bradford intends to plead guilty to those. Um the punishment for that plea will be to serve six days or six months day-for-day with credit for his time served, and then reinstate community corrections for a period of 10 years beginning upon his release from the county jail.

[00:18:44]Um he's to receive jail credit credits from February 5th, 2026 to current, um and community corrections credits um from July 27th, 2022 to May 23rd, 2023.

[00:18:58]>> All right.

[00:19:04]>> Okay.

[00:19:05]I'll have you sign them.

[00:19:18]>> Judge, just to clarify, although that's correct what she stated, he's going to be reinstated, but he's going to restart his entire term.

[00:19:27]>> So, he'll be restarting his entire sentence of 10 years.

[00:19:30]>> After he serves his 6 months.

[00:19:32]>> Mr. Bradford, raise your right hand.

[00:19:34]Let's place you under oath.

[00:19:36]>> [cough] [clears throat] >> State your full name for the record.

[00:19:44]>> Jason [clears throat] Bradford.

[00:19:45]>> Mr. Bradford, you're here today on a prob- on a violation of your community corrections probation. I want to make sure you understand your rights. Do you understand you have a right to plead not guilty to have a hearing here where the state would be required to prove to the legal standard that you had violated your probation.

[00:19:59]Speak up because we're recording this.

[00:20:01]Uh do you also understand that you would have the right to have a lawyer and have one appointed if you cannot afford your own?

[00:20:06]>> Yes, sir.

[00:20:07]>> Do you understand that if we had that hearing and I found you guilty, you could appeal whatever I did in your case to the Court of Criminal Appeals and have a lawyer appointed to help you with that appeal?

[00:20:15]>> Yes, sir.

[00:20:16]>> You understand that by pleading guilty, you're waiving your right to that hearing and to the appeal, all I'm going to do is approve what your lawyers worked out with the state.

[00:20:23]>> Yes, sir.

[00:20:24]>> Do you understand that that that's going to require you to serve 6 months day-for-day with credit for time served and then reinstate you to community corrections to restart your 10-year sentence?

[00:20:34]>> Yes, sir.

[00:20:35]>> All right. Do you understand everything I've explained to you?

[00:20:37]>> Yes, sir.

[00:20:38]>> Do you want to plead guilty according to that agreement?

[00:20:40]>> Yes, sir.

[00:20:41]>> And upon your plea of guilty, I find you guilty of violating your community corrections probation, order that you be revoked to serve 6 months day-for-day with credit for time served. Upon your completion of that 6-month sentence, you will then be reinstated to community corrections for a period of 10 years, which is actually restarting your 10-year sentence.

[00:21:00]Um that will begin upon your release.

[00:21:03]All right. Thank you.

[00:21:05]>> Thank you, Judge.

[00:21:07]>> [clears throat]