SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A man who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and vehicular homicide for a Clark County bus crash in August of 2023 was sentenced to prison on Tuesday. 

What You Need To Know

  • Hermanio Joseph, 36, was sentenced to at least 9 to 13-and-a-half years in prison, with credit for already time served

  • In August 2023, a bus was transporting 52 students to Northwestern Local Schools when it collided with a minivan, driven by Joseph, that crossed over the center line

  • An 11-year-old boy and dozens of others were injured

Hermanio Joseph, 36, was sentenced to at least 9 to 13-and-a-half years in prison, with credit for already time served. 

In August 2023, a bus was transporting 52 students to Northwestern Local Schools. Shortly after 8 a.m. that day, the bus went down State Route 41 when a Honda Odyssey driving eastbound crossed the center line. When the bus tried to go off the right side of the road, it collided with the minivan being driven by Joseph.

The bus overturned, and an 11-year-old boy named Aiden Clark died. More than 20 others were injured, according to court documents.

Nathan Clark, the father of Aiden, spoke during the sentencing on Tuesday, addressing Joseph.

"Because of Mr. Joseph, our hearts will always be incomplete," Nathan said.

“He ended his life with the poor decision he made. He did that. Nothing he can say or do will ever make up for what he did," said Preston Clark, Aiden's brother.

Throughout the trial and sentencing, Joseph showed emotions and remorse. Through the help of a translator, Joseph said he was sorry, and as a husband and father himself, he understands the pain.

“I’m a Northwestern guy. I have three kids in that school. Kevin Miller my assistant, actually lives on the same block as three of our victims. So this was tough," said Daniel Driscoll, Clark County prosecutor.

The judge took a lot into consideration before handing down the sentence, saying Joseph "deserves some degree of mercy and grace, but not much."

Joseph, who is a Haitian immigrant, wasn't under the influence and didn't mean to crash, but he didn't have a license. He had a state ID and had been living in the area for about year before the crash.

While the Clark family is upset about what happened, one thing they did ask is for the hate to stop.

“In capital letters and bold print, we do not want our son’s name to be associated with hate that’s being spewed by the uninformed majority that vocalized their hate," Nathan said.

“What I would ask from the community is, if you don’t know what you’re talking about, shut your mouth. Be quiet. If you do, you don’t have to share your opinion. I would ask people today, instead of spreading hate, spread some love. We could use it," Driscoll said.

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