Milwaukee bus driver Montrell Pharm, 53, was sentenced to two years in prison (concurrent) plus three years supervision for killing 79-year-old Robert Clemons on Christmas Day 2024. Driving the Milwaukee County Transit System bus, Pharm fell asleep at the wheel after grueling 14-hour shifts, veering into a bike lane, striking parked vehicles, and running over Clemons near North 47th Street and Villard Avenue.
Incident Details
Bus camera footage captured Pharm repeatedly dozing—eyes closed while steering, even post-impact—before stopping a block away. Clemons died after being dragged under the bus; his grandson, injured trying to stop it, survived. Pharm admitted sleeping only six hours prior, cited pre-diabetes and no insurance, but claimed a “clear path” moments before.
Legal Outcome
Pharm pleaded no contest in January 2026 to homicide by negligent operation and reckless driving causing great harm. Sentenced March 12 by Judge David Swanson, he lost his job and expressed remorse to Clemons’ family, calling it an “unintentional accident.” Prosecutors highlighted his failure to check for victims post-crash.
