2018 — Aug 30, semitrailer hits Greyhound bus after blowout, I-40, near Thoreau, NM– 9
–9 Albuquerque Journal, NM. “Bus crash death toll rises to 9 after baby dies.” 9-10-2018.
–8 ABC News. “Death toll climbs to 8 in devastating New Mexico bus crash.” 8-31-2018.
–8 News Talk 94.7 & 970 WMAY, Springfield, IL. “5 of 8 victims identified…” 9-2-2018,
Narrative Information
Aug 30: “Albuquerque, N.M. — A crash involving a Greyhound bus and a semitrailer killed at least six people,[1] according to a McKinley County Christian Hospital official.[2] A Greyhound official said the bus was traveling from Albuquerque to Phoenix around 1 p.m., with nearly 50 passengers on board, when it crashed.
“New Mexico State Police said preliminary information shows that the semi[3] was traveling eastbound on I-40[4] when a tire experienced a blowout [front driver’s side[5]], causing the semi to cross into the westbound lanes, crashing into the bus. The bus began its route in St. Louis Wednesday morning as was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles Friday morning….” (KOB 4 (Joshua Panas, Patrick Hayes) Albuquerque, NM. “At least 6 killed in Greyhound bus, semi crash on I-40.” 8-30-2018.)
Aug 31: “The death toll has climbed to eight after a Greyhound bus and tractor trailer collided in a devastating crash in New Mexico, hospital officials said Friday [Aug 30]. On Thursday, the tractor trailer veered into oncoming traffic when one of its tires blew, hitting the bus head-on, according to New Mexico State Police.
“Forty-nine passengers were on board the bus and most were taken to local hospitals with injuries. One person died after arriving at a hospital, bringing the death toll to eight….” (ABC News (E. Shapiro). “Death toll climbs to 8 in devastating New Mexico bus crash.” 8-31-2018.)
Sep 2: “Thoreau, N.M. — Five of the eight people killed in a horrific bus crash in New Mexico on Thursday have been identified. Authorities also announced all eight people died as a result of blunt force trauma, according to the medical investigator. The first five victims were identified as Charla Bale, 34, Terry Mason, 45, Veronica Jean Williams, 49, Sadie Thomas, 50, and Luis Alvarez, 50 [bus driver]….
“The NTSB has downloaded and will analyze information from the electronic logging devices (ELD) of both the Greyhound bus and the semi truck. ELDs have been mandated for all commercial vehicles since December 2017, and it synchronizes with a vehicles engine to record driving time. The NTSB said information obtained from both ELDs will be important to their investigation, providing information on the vehicle’s motion.
“The NTSB has identified Jag Trucking Inc., a new company that began operating in 2014, as the operator of the semi. Jag started the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program in 2014 as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and completed the program with a satisfactory rating.
“On Monday, NTSB investigators will meet with Jag company representatives and are working to schedule an interview with the driver. They’re currently an unrated carrier.
“The NTSB has subpoenaed blood tests for both the semi driver and bus driver, and they are interviewing passengers on the bus to figure out how injuries occurred….” (News Talk 94.7 & 970 WMAY, Springfield, IL. “5 of 8 victims identified from New Mexico bus crash; deaths caused by blunt force trauma.” 9-2-2018.)
Sep 11: “Albuquerque, N.M. — The ninth person to die after a passenger bus crash in western New Mexico was an infant who was being treated in a neonatal intensive care unit, according to a hospital spokeswoman….KOAT-TV reportedly spoke to the child’s parents, Christy Westerdale and Joseph Chandler, and identified the infant as Jordyn Rose. The station said Westerdale went into labor after the Aug. 30 crash. According to a post on the UNMHSC Twitter page, three more patients remain hospitalized as a result of the head-on collision between a Greyhound bus and a tractor-trailer….
“The truck was carrying produce from Marina, Calif., to Memphis, Tenn….” (Albuquerque Journal, NM. “Bus crash death toll rises to 9 after baby dies.” 9-10-2018.)
Sep 11: “One of two twin babies born prematurely after a deadly bus crash…has died….
“Christy Westerdale, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was one of many rushed to local hospitals, where she delivered twins Jordyn Rose and Joseph Wayne….
“Including Jordyn Rose, nine people have died in the crash.” (Inside Edition. “One of 2 Twin Babies Born After Deadly Greyhound Bus Crash Dies.” 9-11-2018.)
Sources
ABC News (Emily Shapiro). “Death toll climbs to 8 in devastating New Mexico bus crash.” 8-31-2018. Accessed 8-31-2018 at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/death-toll-climbs-devastating-mexico-bus-crash/story?id=57524743
Albuquerque Journal, NM. “Bus crash death toll rises to 9 after baby dies.” 9-10-2018. Accessed 9-13-2018 at: https://www.abqjournal.com/1219074/unmhsc-bus-crash-death-toll-hits-9-after-baby-dies.html
CBS/AP. “Blown tire may have caused horrific New Mexico bus-semi crash, authorities say.” 8-31-2018. Accessed 8-31-2018 at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blown-tire-may-have-caused-horrific-bus-semi-crash-authorities/
CBS News. “Truck driver in deadly New Mexico crash thought he was ‘going to die.’” 8-31-2018. Accessed 9-1-2018 at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-mexico-truck-driver-crash-thought-he-was-going-to-die/
CNN. “Woman who survived New Mexico bus crash gives birth to twins, hospital official says.” 9-1-2018. Accessed 9-1-2018 at: https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/30/us/new-mexico-fatal-bus-crash/index.html
Inside Edition. “One of 2 Twin Babies Born After Deadly Greyhound Bus Crash Dies.” 9-11-2018. Accessed 9-17-2018 at: https://www.insideedition.com/one-2-twin-babies-born-after-deadly-greyhound-bus-crash-dies-46692
KOB 4 (Joshua Panas, Patrick Hayes) Albuquerque, NM. “At least 6 killed in Greyhound bus, semi crash on I-40.” 8-30-2018. Accessed 8-30-2018 at:
https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/bus-semi-crash-closes-i-40-near-thoreau/5051465/
News Talk 94.7 & 970 WMAY, Springfield, IL. “5 of 8 victims identified from New Mexico bus crash; deaths caused by blunt force trauma.” 9-2-2018. Accessed 9-2-2018 at: http://www.wmay.com/2018/09/02/5-of-8-victims-identified-from-new-mexico-bus-crash-deaths-caused-by-blunt-force-trauma/
Washington Post. “Witnesses describe chaotic scene following deadly bus crash.” 8-30-2018. Accessed 8-30-2018 at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/witnesses-describe-chaotic-scene-following-deadly-bus-crash/2018/08/30/c55b4ba2-acb4-11e8-9a7d-cd30504ff902_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.747acdca75a3
[1] Changed to eight a few hours later. Amongst the dead was the driver of the bus, Luis Alvarez, 49 of Santa Teresa, NM. CNN. “Woman who survived New Mexico bus crash gives birth to twins, hospital official says.” 9-1-2018.
[2] The semi driver, Elisara Taito, was not one of the fatalities. (CBS/AP. “Blown tire may have caused horrific New Mexico bus-semi crash, authorities say.” 8-31-2018; CBS News. “Truck driver in deadly New Mexico crash thought he was ‘going to die.’” 8-31-2018.)
[3] Weighing 80,000 pounds. CNN. “Woman who survived New Mexico bus crash gives birth to twins, hospital official says.” 9-1-2018.
[4] Near AZ border. Washington Post. “Witnesses describe chaotic scene following deadly bus crash.” 8-30-2018.
[5] CNN. “Woman who survived New Mexico bus crash gives birth to twins, hospital official says.” 9-1-2018.