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10/18/2012 10:32 PM

Survivors Of Bronx Bus Crash Testify In Trial Of Driver

By: NY1 News

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Survivors of a deadly Bronx bus crash testified Thursday in the manslaughter trial of the bus's driver.

62-year old Ren Yao lost both of his arms when a bus driven by Ophadell Williams slammed into a guard rail in March of last year.

15 passengers died and 15 others were seriously injured.

Prosecutors say Williams was speeding and sleep-deprived at the time.

His attorney, Pat Bruno, says the crash was a tragic accident and accuses other witnesses of exaggerating their injuries.

"My gripe is that, as I've said from day one, this is nothing more than a tragic motor vehicle accident and the DA is bringing in liars who try to bolster a case that doesn't exist," Bruno said. "And that's very troubling."

"Whatever the outcome is in this case, we have to go on," said Florence Lee, whose father died in the crash. "That's how my father taught me, that life goes on, no matter what happens."

Williams faces up to 15 years in prison on charges of manslaughter and criminally-negligent homicide.