No citations have yet been issued in a devastating crash that destroyed a bus in Syracuse on Jan. 19. New York State Police reported the car accident on Interstate 81. Several people sustained minor injuries, while two others were more seriously hurt. Police are still investigating the crash, and accident reconstruction teams are currently attempting to determine what happened.
According to surveillance footage recovered by police, it appears the driver of a pickup truck was attempting to exit the highway at a high rate of speed when the accident occurred. The driver swerved to avoid traffic that had slowed down on the ramp, causing his vehicle to leave the road. The truck then crossed the grass before launching into the air and smashing into the side of a bus with enough force to lodge the truck in the side of the bus.
Several people on board the bus at the time reported minor injuries. The truck driver’s wife, who was a passenger in the truck, as well as the bus driver, sustained more serious injuries and were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The exact nature of these injuries was not reported. Police have not filed charges against the truck driver at this time.
Even if no citations are issued by New York police, this car accident still injured several people. The bus driver is entitled under state law to file a separate personal injury suit against the truck driver in civil court. If negligence or recklessness is proved, compensation for damages may be awarded.
Source: fox13now.com, “Videos show pickup truck smashing through bus in New York“, Jan. 27, 2017