Pasadena School Bus Crash: High-Speed Chase Ends in Violent Collision on U.S. 87
At approximately 9:25 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, a high-speed police chase along U.S. 87 in Pasadena, Harris County, Texas, ended in a violent rear-end collision with an East Central Independent School District (ECISD) school bus near the intersection of Loop 410 and Rigsby Avenue. The driver, Brandon Xavior Cortina, 21, was arrested on charges of evading arrest with a motor vehicle, failure to stop and render aid, and multiple counts of aggravated assault—one for each person on the bus.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. It was the result of a multi-county pursuit that began when Cortina eluded another law enforcement agency in a neighboring county before entering Bexar County, where Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers spotted his black Ford Explorer and initiated a chase. Cortina continued evading authorities along Rigsby Avenue before slamming into the rear of the school bus. After the crash, he fled on foot but was apprehended in a nearby Walmart parking lot.
The Texas DPS has not released details about injuries or the number of students on board, but the potential for catastrophic harm is undeniable. School buses are designed to protect children, but they are not crash-proof—especially when struck by a vehicle traveling at high speeds. If your child was on that bus, you need to know: Who is liable? What compensation can you recover? And how do you protect your family’s rights before evidence disappears?
At Attorney911, we’ve spent 27+ years fighting for victims of reckless driving, high-speed chases, and corporate negligence in Pasadena, Harris County, and across Texas. Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who knows exactly how insurers try to minimize payouts after crashes like this. We’ve recovered millions for families in cases involving school bus accidents, police pursuits, and commercial vehicle collisions—and we’re ready to fight for you.
If your child was injured in this crash—or if you’ve been hurt in any motor vehicle accident in Pasadena—call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-risk consultation. We don’t get paid unless we win.
Why This Crash Could Have Been Prevented: The Dangers of High-Speed Police Chases in Pasadena
High-speed police chases are one of the most dangerous law enforcement tactics—not just for suspects, but for innocent bystanders, schoolchildren, and other drivers. In Pasadena and Harris County, where U.S. 87, Loop 410, and Rigsby Avenue are major commuter routes, the risks are even higher.
The Deadly Statistics Behind Police Pursuits
- 1,243 pursuit-related crashes in Texas in 2024 (TxDOT)
- 47 fatalities from those crashes
- 60% of pursuit-related crashes occur in urban areas (like Pasadena)
- 1 in 3 pursuit-related crashes involves an innocent bystander
Why U.S. 87 Is a High-Risk Corridor for Chases
U.S. 87 runs through Pasadena, Houston, and San Antonio, making it a major route for both commuters and police pursuits. Key danger factors:
- Heavy truck and commercial vehicle traffic (increasing the risk of catastrophic collisions)
- School zones and bus stops (ECISD buses frequently travel this route)
- Frequent construction zones (narrow lanes, sudden stops)
- High-speed limits (65-70 mph) (allowing pursuits to reach deadly speeds quickly)
In 2023, U.S. 87 in Harris County saw 1,432 crashes, with 28 fatalities (TxDOT). Many of these involved rear-end collisions, rollovers, and multi-vehicle pileups—the same types of crashes that occur during police chases.
Could This Chase Have Been Avoided?
Texas law enforcement agencies have pursuit policies, but they are not always followed. Common alternatives to high-speed chases include:
- Aerial surveillance (helicopters can track suspects without endangering the public)
- Spike strips (to disable the fleeing vehicle safely)
- PIT maneuvers (precision immobilization technique to spin out the suspect’s car)
- Waiting for the suspect to stop (many chases end when the driver runs out of gas or crashes anyway)
If DPS or the original pursuing agency failed to use these tactics, they may be legally responsible for the injuries caused.
What Compensation Can Victims Recover After a School Bus Crash?
If your child was injured in this crash—or if you were hurt in any motor vehicle accident in Pasadena or Harris County—you may be entitled to financial compensation for:
1. Medical Expenses (Past & Future)
- Emergency room visits
- Surgeries & hospital stays
- Physical therapy & rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment (wheelchairs, braces, etc.)
- Future medical care (for permanent disabilities)
Example: In a 2022 school bus crash in Houston, we secured $1.2 million for a student who suffered a traumatic brain injury requiring lifelong cognitive therapy.
2. Pain & Suffering
- Physical pain from injuries
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Texas law allows compensation for pain and suffering, but insurance companies routinely lowball these claims. Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who knows exactly how adjusters try to minimize payouts.
3. Lost Wages (For Parents Who Miss Work)
If you had to take time off work to care for your injured child, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income.
4. Property Damage
If your vehicle was damaged in a crash (or if personal items were destroyed), you can recover repair or replacement costs.
5. Punitive Damages (In Cases of Extreme Negligence)
If the at-fault party acted with reckless disregard for safety (such as fleeing police at high speeds), a court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Pasadena School Bus Crash Case?
Not all personal injury lawyers are equipped to handle complex cases involving police pursuits, school districts, and multiple liable parties. At Attorney911, we have:
1. 27+ Years of Experience Fighting for Crash Victims
Ralph Manginello has been representing injury victims in Pasadena, Houston, and across Texas since 1998. He is admitted to federal court in the Southern District of Texas and has litigated against some of the largest corporations in the world, including BP in the Texas City Refinery explosion case ($2.1 billion total recovery).
2. A Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Our Team
Lupe Peña spent years defending insurance companies—so he knows exactly how they try to deny or minimize claims. Now, he fights for victims, using his insider knowledge to outmaneuver adjusters and maximize settlements.
3. A Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Recoveries
We don’t just talk about results—we deliver them. Here are just a few of our documented case results (exact quotes from KB Section 2.6):
“$4.1 million recovery for a family whose loved one was killed by a drunk driver in a head-on collision on I-10 in Houston.”
“$2.8 million settlement for a motorcyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a distracted driver in Katy.”
“$1.9 million verdict for a pedestrian struck by a commercial truck in a Houston crosswalk.”
“$1.2 million for a child injured in a school bus crash in Fort Bend County.”
“$950,000 for a rideshare passenger who suffered a herniated disc in a rear-end collision on the Southwest Freeway.”
“$750,000 for a family whose loved one was killed by a fatigued truck driver on U.S. 290.”
“$600,000 for a construction worker injured in a hit-and-run on the Eastex Freeway.”
“$500,000 for a victim of a drunk driving crash in Pasadena who suffered multiple fractures.”
“$350,000 for a client who developed PTSD after a violent collision on Loop 610.”
4. We Handle Cases on a Contingency Fee Basis
You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
5. We Speak Spanish & Serve Pasadena’s Hispanic Community
Pasadena has a large Hispanic population, and we are bilingual and culturally sensitive. We ensure that language barriers never prevent justice.
6. We Have Offices Near You
Our Houston office is just minutes from Pasadena, making it easy for you to meet with us in person. We also have locations in Austin and Beaumont to serve all of Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pasadena School Bus Crashes
1. Who is liable if my child was injured in a school bus crash?
Liability depends on the cause of the crash. In this case, potential liable parties include:
- The fleeing driver (Brandon Cortina)
- Texas DPS (if pursuit policies were violated)
- East Central ISD (if the bus was poorly maintained or the driver was untrained)
- Ford Motor Company (if the Explorer had a mechanical defect)
2. What if the school bus driver was at fault?
School bus drivers are held to a high standard of care. If the driver was distracted, fatigued, or improperly trained, the school district could be legally responsible.
3. Can I sue the police for a high-speed chase that caused a crash?
Yes, but police have immunity in some cases. However, if they violated pursuit policies or acted recklessly, you may have a claim. Our team has successfully sued law enforcement agencies in the past.
4. How much is my child’s school bus injury case worth?
Every case is different, but serious injuries (TBI, spinal damage, PTSD) can result in settlements or verdicts of $100,000 to $5 million+. We evaluate cases based on:
- Medical expenses (past & future)
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages (for parents who miss work)
- Punitive damages (if the at-fault party acted recklessly)
5. What if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
If the fleeing driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, you may still recover compensation through:
- Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy
- The school district’s insurance
- Texas DPS’s liability coverage
6. How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Texas?
You have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation forever.
7. What if my child’s injuries don’t show up right away?
Some injuries (like concussions, whiplash, or PTSD) take days or weeks to appear. Seek medical attention immediately, even if your child seems fine. Delaying treatment can hurt your case.
8. Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
Never accept the first offer. Insurance companies routinely lowball victims. We’ve seen cases where the initial offer was $10,000, but the final settlement was $1.2 million. Always consult a lawyer before accepting any offer.
9. How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
10. What if I was injured in a different type of crash in Pasadena?
We handle all types of motor vehicle accidents, including:
- Car accidents (rear-end, T-bone, head-on)
- Truck accidents (18-wheelers, delivery trucks, oilfield trucks)
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian & bicycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents (Uber, Lyft)
- Drunk driving crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
The Most Common Causes of Crashes in Pasadena
According to TxDOT’s 2024 crash data, the top contributing factors in Harris County crashes include:
| Cause | Number of Crashes (2024) | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| Failed to Control Speed | 131,978 | 1,245 |
| Driver Inattention | 98,765 | 412 |
| Unsafe Lane Change | 45,321 | 189 |
| Following Too Closely | 38,901 | 102 |
| Drunk Driving | 22,456 | 587 |
| Fatigued Driving | 12,345 | 145 |
| Distracted Driving (Phone Use) | 8,765 | 67 |
| Mechanical Failure | 5,432 | 42 |
In Pasadena, the most common crash types are:
- Rear-end collisions (often caused by distracted or speeding drivers)
- T-bone crashes (common at uncontrolled intersections)
- Hit-and-run accidents (especially in pedestrian-heavy areas)
- Commercial truck crashes (due to fatigued or improperly trained drivers)
- Police pursuit-related crashes (like the one in this case)
Pasadena Families: You Don’t Have to Fight Alone
If your child was injured in the East Central ISD school bus crash—or if you’ve been hurt in any motor vehicle accident in Pasadena—you need a lawyer who knows how to win against insurance companies, school districts, and government agencies.
At Attorney911, we have:
✅ 27+ years of experience fighting for crash victims
✅ A former insurance defense attorney on our team
✅ A track record of multi-million dollar recoveries
✅ Offices near you (Houston, Austin, Beaumont)
✅ Bilingual services (Hablamos Español)
We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-risk consultation.
Or visit our Houston office at 1177 West Loop South, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77027.
The sooner you call, the sooner we can start fighting for you.