A tragic accident in southern Illinois claimed the lives of three individuals and left at least 14 others injured when a Greyhound bus collided with parked tractor-trailers on Wednesday. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on the westbound side of Interstate 70 in Madison County. Illinois State Police reported that the bus struck three commercial motor vehicles parked on the exit ramp to the Silver Lake Interstate 70 westbound rest area.
According to authorities, the Greyhound passenger bus was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 when the collision occurred. The initial investigation revealed that the bus crashed into the parked tractor-trailers, resulting in the fatalities and injuries. State police spokesperson Melaney Arnold confirmed that all the victims were passengers on the bus. The deceased have been identified as Juan Vasquez-Rodriguez, 34, of Passaic, New Jersey; Buford Paya, 71, of Supai, Arizona; and Bradley Donovan, 47, of Springfield, Illinois.
Greyhound, in a statement, disclosed that the bus involved in the crash was schedule number 1675, en route from Indianapolis to St. Louis. The company expressed its concern for the well-being of the passengers and driver, stating that multiple individuals had been transported to the hospital. The crash resulted in the closure of the westbound lanes and a ramp to the rest area until noon on Wednesday.
Photographs and television footage captured the devastating aftermath of the accident, with the side of the bus peeled open and its roof crumpled. Greyhound spokesperson Mike Ogulnick informed The Associated Press that the bus was expected to arrive in St. Louis around 2:20 a.m. and was carrying approximately 30 people, including the driver. Another bus was dispatched to transport passengers who were unharmed.
Trucking industry experts noted that while it is illegal for trucks to park on exit ramps in Illinois, tractor-trailers often resort to this practice due to the scarcity of overnight parking at rest stops and truck stops. This information sheds light on the potential reasons behind the presence of parked vehicles on the exit ramp where the accident occurred.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the collision. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for strict adherence to parking regulations. Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this devastating accident.