13 people were killed on I-95 in the Bronx this morning when an 18-wheel truck cut off a tour bus sending in tumbling on its side, sliding down the roadway before it was sliced in half by a pole.
A NeW York Fire department spokesman said there were 32 people on the bus. Survivors, six in critical condition, were taken to St. Barnabas and Jacobi hospitals. The tour bus, returning to Manhattan from Mohegan Sun, had just passed through New Rochelle shortly before the crash at 5:35 a.m.
New York State Police have shut down southbound traffic on I-95. Traffic is being re-routed onto Route 1 at Exit 15. North bound lanes are open but moving slowly due to rubber-necking. When there have been similar serious accidents with fatalities in the past the thruway has been shut down until the next day. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes and otherwise avoid the area today.
UPDATE: Additional details.
- Death toll increased to 14.
- 31 passengers were on the bus.
- Criminal investigation underway by New York State Police.
- New York State Police have identified driver of tractor-trailer.
- Bus driver is Ophadell Williams of Brooklyn, NY.
- 15 passengers being treated at Jacobi Medical Center.
- 55 passengers being treated at St. Barnabas Hospital, 2 on life support.
- The National Transportation Safety Board has sent an investigation team.
I-95 SouthBound Closed, Traffic Re-Rerouted to Exit 15/Route 1 i
As of Saturday 6:30pm, I-95 southbound was still closed with lots of rubber-necking towards Pelham on Route 1. My only conclusion is that since NYPD Commish Kelley was there, it is being treated as a serious crime scene.
According to TV news reports, the bus was removed with ‘wreckers’ and brought into an NYPD yard for further inspection overnight. They further reported that the entire situation was under investigation and the bus driver was being looked at as the bus rode on rumble strips at the side of the road. The tractor trailer in question was found by NYPD and the driver questioned after it was discovered he didn’t do what the bus driver said he did.
Part of this entire story should include how dangerous this area is as it is right after the crest of a hill which may/may not have contributed to the accident. I’ve had a couple of near-misses over the last year because:
1. cars cross over from the left and center lane to the clover-leaf curve
2. the curve is very tight and requires being in the exit ramp at 10 mph – which is NOT the speed cars approach the exit – it almost always seems to be at an excessive speed.
3. just prior to the exit, tractor-trailers use it as a rest stop which creates other issues.
4. NYS troopers are only interested in writing speeding tickets, not reckless/accident-causing driving. One night about a year ago, a trooper came out of the bushes and drove right up on my bumper – so I took my foot off the gas until he got tired of tailing my then sped around me as I went from 45 to 40, etc. Trooper actions can contribute to the dangerous situation at hand. This is where Pirro’s former husband was caught speeding not once but twice.
With the current economic climate in force, who knows when this dangerous road situation will be corrected by the NYS DOT.
I95 closure
As of 1100 southbound I95 traffic is being diverted off I95 by NYS Troopers onto I287, sending NYC bound autos to the Hutch and commercial traffic to the I87. I95 from Conn border to the Bronx is closed.
Dangerous S curve on I-95
The city and state officials need to look into the dangerous S curve on southbound I-95 where this accident happened. It needs to be improved. This is the same area of I-95 where New Rochelle Police Officer Pagano was killed chasing a suspect.