CINCINNATI — The Metro bus driver charged in connection with the death of a Cincinnati city employee has been convicted of 12 traffic violations since 2010, according to records from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
Kyle Taylor is charged with vehicular manslaughter in connection with the Norwood Lateral crash that killed a city employee.
The crash happened just before 12:45 p.m. near the 1.8 mile marker along the Norwood Lateral, according to the sheriff's office. The scene was just west of I-71 and drivers were diverted off the Lateral at Ridge Road. The westbound lanes of the Lateral were shut down for hours following the crash.
According to the arrest report, Taylor was driving a Metro bus on the Norwood Lateral when he "allowed his bus" to hit the rear of a City of Cincinnati truck. The truck was then pushed forward into the rear of a trailer being towed by another City of Cincinnati truck.
There were three City of Cincinnati employees on the trailer being towed. One of the employees, identified as 46-year-old Jonathan Allen Young, died in the crash.
WATCH: Metro bus driver charged in deadly Norwood Lateral crash pleads not guilty
Taylor was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment of injuries after the crash.
In court Friday morning, Taylor, represented by attorney Carl Lewis, pleaded not guilty in court Friday.
"This is a very, very difficult case for all involved," Lewis said.
Lewis said Taylor is devastated by what happened and asked the judge to set a reasonable bond.
Before bond was set, Young's aunt, Dinah Webster, spoke to the judge about the impact on their family.
"I know that Jonathan would want justice," Webster said. "Our family is so devastated."
Webster told WCPO 9 she believes Taylor should be held accountable for Young's death.
The judge set Taylor's bond at $5,000 at 10%. If he posts bond, he is not allowed to drive.
Cooper Elliott, the law firm representing Shauntae Boothe, the mother of Young's two children, said it is investigating the crash and Taylor's driving and hiring history.
According to DPS records, Taylor has faced a dozen convictions related to traffic violations such as speeding, failing to stay in marked lanes and failing to obey traffic signs.
Hamilton County court records show Taylor caused a crash while driving a bus on June 17. He received a right-of-way violation related to that incident.
The firm also represented the family of Beverly Kinney, an 87-year-old woman hit and killed by a Cincinnati Metro bus driver in 2024.
That lawsuit led to a $10 million settlement and new training requirements for Metro drivers.
Attorney Rex Elliott said he believes last week's crash should never have happened.
“We do know this driver was reckless," Elliott said. "You don’t get charged with vehicular manslaughter unless there is recklessness involved.”
Following the hearing, WCPO reached out to Metro, which provided an updated statement:
"We are aware of the charges brought against Mr. Kyle Taylor. Mr. Taylor has been placed on administrative leave, which is our standard practice while the matter is under investigation. We are unable to provide further comment at this time.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Mr. Young."
