Debra “Granny” Loyd speaks during a ceremony unveiling a bronze plaque of her grandson Michael Myvett Jr., who along with his fiancé Mattison Haywood and several others were killed in a bus crash with a Fed Ex truck last year. (courtesy photo)


Debra “Granny” Loyd, unveiled a bronze plaque to commemorate all of those who died in the FedEx/Bus crash in Orland, California. Her grandson, Michael Myvett Jr. and his fiancé Mattison Haywood were chaperones on that journey.

The ceremony was held at the Ptsouris Bus Transit Plaza at Union Station in Los Angeles which was the embarkation site for the journey. Exactly one year ago 3 buses, full of area high school seniors and their chaperones, departed for a tour of Humboldt State University.

Dr. Dyke Redmond, Michael’s godfather, opened the ceremony with a prayer that acknowledged the life journey of each individual who died or were injured. He also prayed for the safety of the students and chaperone’s who had left the day before on the same journey.  This included, Cheryl Miller, who was one of Michael’s best friends, who volunteered to take his place as a chaperone.

“Michael represented all that is good with young black men. He had 2 masters degrees and was always giving back and helping those who faced the same obstacles that he faced and overcame” Dr. Redmond continued by noting how most all of the students were going to be the first of their family to attend college.

The bronze plaque was fully paid for by Debra “Granny” Loyd. Ms. Loyd wants to have identical plaques placed at all of school were the students were scheduled to graduate from and in the City of Orland. Ms. Loyd will ask the MTA Board to install the plaque in the near future. Her attorney, Dermot D. Givens, gave caution to those who were running scams to profit from the tragedy.

The National Transportation Safety Board has not issued a final report that will identify the cause of the crash. However, all of the victims have filed separate suits that have been consolidated in a mass tort court with jurisdiction in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Attorney Dermot D. Givens, explained that the lawsuits will take their course in due time but that the ceremony was to remember the joy of Michael and Mattison and all of the victims who had died.

Michael Myvett Jr. and Mattison Haywood were engaged in Paris, France just 5 months prior to the crash. 

“I’ll see them again” Granny smiled as she unveiled the plaque.

 

The bronze plaque reads as follows: 

 

THE JOURNEY

 

 At this site, on the morning of April 10, 2014, people gathered to see their family and friends board 3 buses to begin “The Journey” to visit

Humboldt State University.

 

The buses were filled with the laughter and dreams of High School Seniors and their Chaperones.

 

On April 10, 2014 at approximately 5:40 PM, a FedEx truck crossed the median on

I-5 in The City of Orland, California. One of the buses, carrying 43 passengers, was struck head-on ending a journey for:

 

Michael Lee Myvett Jr. (chaperone)

 

Mattison Leatrice Haywood (chaperone)

 

Arthur Arzola (chaperone)

 

Jennifer Bonilla  

(Senior -Dorsey High School)

 

Denise Gomez

(Senior – Animo Inglewood Charter High School)

 

Ismael Jimenez

(Senior – Animo Inglewood Charter High School)

 

Merisa Serrato 

(Senior – Norte Vista High School)

 

38 others were injured. The bus driver and the truck driver both died.

 

“THE JOURNEY” continues as all of the surviving students graduated from High School and went on to college. 25 of the surviving students enrolled at Humboldt State University.

 

We Thank

The Citizens of the City of Orland, CA

Volunteer Fire Department of the City of Orland, CA

Glenn County Sheriffs Department

California Highway Patrol, Division

The Red Cross

The Hospitals