“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. I found God in the hospital, Bro., again,” Thomas Jones said Monday night, tearfully recounting the harrowing collision that toppled the RTA bus he was on and killed the three young people in the car that hit the coach March 10 on Free Pike and state Route 49 in Trotwood.
Jones, one of six people on the bus (including the driver), told his story exclusively to News Center 7’s Tavares Jones.
WATCH VIDEO: Bus driver jumps to help passengers in Trotwood crash
Jones said he was seated on the right side of the bus, near the rear door, when the Pontiac -- reportedly traveling at near 90 mph -- hit the bus.
“I got knocked from the right side to the left side...up against the glass and then the bus tipped over,” he said. “I’m pinned between the concrete and the glass. When I looked up, all I could see was the door and the driver climbing out.”
WATCH VIDEO: Red-light camera captures harrowing car-RTA bus crash
Jones said he thought his ride home from work had suffered a mere flat tire.
He called the bus driver the hero from that day.
Jones -- four broken ribs and three shattered bones in his back -- said he realizes his blessing.
“It’s a gift to be here,” he said. “I’m not going to take this thing for granted no more.”