HIGHLAND, Ill. — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says it has opened an investigation into a Greyhound bus crash that killed three people and injured 14 this morning on I-70 near Highland, Illinois. Illinois State Police say the Greyhound bus hit three tractor-trailers parked on the off-ramp to the Silver Lake rest area, about 25 miles east of St. Louis. All three fatalities were on board the bus.
The crash happened just before 2 a.m., and Greyhound confirmed to Spectrum News that the bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis.
What you need to know
Three people are dead and 14 injured after a Greyhound bus hit three tractor-trailers parked on an off-ramp to an I-70 rest area outside St. Louis
Greyhound confirmed to Spectrum News that the bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis
A team of investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board is due to arrive Wednesday night and early Thursday to begin an investigation into the crash, which could last a week.
In Illinois, it’s illegal for trucks to park on off-ramps, but trucking industry experts say semis often stop there overnight because it’s hard to find overnight parking at rest stops and in other places, such as truck stops. An NTSB investigator told reporters Wednesday afternoon that rest area security will be part of the investigation, but that they did not yet know why the trucks were parked on the off-ramp.
“Three fatalities have been confirmed and many more were taken to hospital with serious injuries, four by helicopter and at least 10 by ambulance,” state police said in a news release.
Images from the crash scene show the side of the bus open and damage to the roof. At least one tractor-trailer has damage to the rear, with the side peeled back and the contents exposed.
Dawanda Parker of California was on a cross-country trip that started in Buffalo and was supposed to end in downtown Los Angeles. She told Spectrum News she was asleep in the back row when the accident happened.
“I just see a guy in front of me that’s collapsed… I have to make him go… but he won’t move.” She believes the man died in the accident. Parker and others rolled out a window and got off the bus.
Illinois State Police spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said all of the dead and injured were on the Greyhound bus.
“Multiple passengers, including our driver, have been transported to the hospital. Our primary concern is making sure we take care of our passengers and drivers at this time. We are working closely with local authorities,” says Mike Ogulnick, spokesman from Greyhound.
An ambulance took Parker and other victims to the hospital. He said he has a broken rib, hip pain and glass in his eye.
At 11 in the morning, I was at the station of St. Louis from downtown Greyhound, waiting for their bags and a 5:45 p.m. bus to California.
In Illinois it is illegal for trucks to park on exit ramps. But trucking industry experts say semis often stop there overnight because it’s hard to find overnight parking at rest stops and other places like truck stops.
“And that’s not only dangerous for them, it’s dangerous for the motoring public because they need their break and they deserve their break,” said Lewis Pugh of the Owner-Operator Association of Independent Drivers. in a May hearing before a House Transportation and Transportation Committee. Infrastructure Subcommittee.
Tom Chapman, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board said it was too early to know what caused the crash or why the commercial trucks were parked on the exit ramp. Chapman said rest area security would be part of the team’s investigation. Investigators are expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon or early Thursday to begin their work, which could take a week on the ground.
Traffic on westbound I-70 is back open, but there could be some delays as crews work to clear the area.
