MCTS bus driver charged for falling asleep behind wheel in deadly crash pleads no contest to felony charges

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – A bus driver with the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) pleaded no contest to two felony counts for a fatal crash where he fell asleep behind the wheel.

Montrell Pharm, 53, was charged with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and reckless driving causing great bodily harm. As he appeared in court on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge David Swanson asked Pharm if he was ready to enter his plea.

“This is uncharted waters for me,” Pharm said. “I’m doing the best I can.”

According to court documents, Pharm fell asleep behind the wheel of an MCTS bus when he hit 79-year-old Robert Clemons near 47th and Villard on Christmas night in 2024. Clemons was working on a legally parked truck with his grandson when Pharm veered off the road and hit them…

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