DDOT driver who ran Grosse Pointe Park woman over with city bus will spend at least 6 months behind bars

DETROIT (WWJ) -- A longtime Detroit city bus driver, with a history of deadly traffic violations, will spend six months in jail, plus two years probation.

Authorities say the now-former driver, 61-year-old Geraldine Johnson of Harper Woods, hit and killed 67-year-old Janice Bauer of Grosse Pointe Park as she walked across a downtown street on a green light in June 2023.

Johnson was charged by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office with one count of Moving Violation Causing Death.

She later pleaded no contest to the charge.

“This case is tragic on every level. Janice Bauer lost her life. The alleged facts are that defendant, Geraldine Johnson, literally ran her over with the city bus she was driving and caused her death,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy. in a statement.

Johnson, who worked for the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), is a repeat violator, according to prosecutors.

She was involved in another deadly crash in 2015, and had a total of 19 traffic incidents during her 26 years on the job.

On Thursday Johnson was sentenced before Judge Lynise Bryant to two years of probation and one year of jail time. The first six months will be served in the Wayne County Jail and the remaining six months will be held in abeyance. This means if she violates her probation in any way, she will serve the last six months in jail.