Long Island Man Convicted Of Manslaughter, Assault In 2012 Crash That Killed Bus Driver

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A guilty verdict was reached in the case against a cement truck driver who crashed into an overpass and a school bus in 2012, killing the bus driver.

According to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, 45-year-old Raymond Ragen was convicted of manslaughter and assault after a three and a half week trial.

The jury acquitted the Mineola resident of aggravated vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter.

In July of 2012, Ragen was driving a cement truck on Oyster Bay Road in Locust Valley when his 13-foot-high truck crashed into a 10-foot high Long Island Rail Road overpass, prosecutors said.

The truck then careened into oncoming traffic and slammed head-on into a school bus carrying special-needs children home from summer camp, prosecutors said.

The crash killed Jorge Guevara. It also injured a bus attendant and four special-needs children.

Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice previously accused Ragen of being high on Valium when the crash occurred.

"We must continue to hold people like Raymond Ragen accountable for the danger they pose and the irreparable damage they cause when they get high and then get behind the wheel," Rice said.

Ragen's defense attorney had said it was a "tragic accident'' and not a crime.

He argued Ragan was driving slowly and safely, tried to stop in time, and was not impaired.

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