Four killed in Virginia tour bus crash
The tour bus ran off Interstate 95 in Virginia.
May 31st, 2011
10:09 AM ET

Four killed in Virginia tour bus crash

Four passengers aboard a commercial tour bus died and an undetermined number others were injured early Tuesday when the vehicle overturned on I-95 in Caroline County, Virginia, according to state police.

The bus ran off the right side of the road and overturned about a quarter-mile from the Carmel Church exit, according to Corinne Geller, public relations manager for the Virginia State Police.

Injured passengers were being taken to hospitals in Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia, Geller said.

Police have not named the tour company or the itinerary.

[cnn-video url="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2011/05/31/va.deadly.bus.crash.wjla"%5D

The accident happened before 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. As of 7:30 a.m., state police had closed the northbound lanes of the interstate while accident investigators examine the scene, she said.

The northbound lanes were expected to remain closed until mid-morning, according to police. Southbound lanes were not affected, Geller said.

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Filed under: Travel • Virginia
soundoff (82 Responses)
  1. fmr. Greyhound Bus Driver

    Of course the bus was supposed to arrive in Phoenix instead of Las Vegas. But I was drunk. Everyone arrived safely. I did hit a deer though. So pro drivers are no better than pro law enforcement. We come from YOU, just like the pro politicians and wrestlers. And if your driver isn't drunk, chances are there's a drun somewhere on the trip. Happy Trails.

    May 31, 2011 at 9:02 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Prominant Jew

    Now you know why we don't drive trucks.

    May 31, 2011 at 9:09 pm | Report abuse |
  3. fmr. Greyhound Bus Driver

    I haul chemicals now. Cheers.

    May 31, 2011 at 9:13 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Ron

    Browsed through a few comments and figured I would contribute. I drove buses for the past 10 years (retired this week) and yes, quite a few bus drivers exceed the speed limit. Mindset seems to be hop in and go as fast as possible. Some companies do govern max speed but usually readjust when drivers complain that the bus goes to slow. Even with buses equipped with gps and speed monitoring most do not receive any discipline for going over the limit. Drivers are allowed 10 hrs driving with 15 hrs max for the day. Driver is supposed to be off duty for 8 hrs before reporting back to work. But companies do not allow proper time off, in my opinion, because I could run from Las Vegas to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and back (1 day turnaround tour, 280 miles each way), be at work from 0500 to maybe 2200, and get asked to work the next day. Drivers are fatigued. Company expects them to fudge the log book. I've seen drivers run back to back trips (as mentioned)for 5 days. Seat belts are not justified yet by DOT. Bottom line, companies express safety to those that need to hear and speak a different language when it comes down the dollars. Some of us ran by the rules and refused work when deemed unsafe. But then you would miss work as the company would not schedule a driver if he or she complained. It's a no win for the passenger. Glad I'm done with it.

    June 1, 2011 at 12:09 am | Report abuse |
  5. AnnieJames

    The news was really shocking.Everyone must be very careful while on road.Each human beings life is very valuable to them and especially to their family.Annie

    June 1, 2011 at 2:35 am | Report abuse |
  6. Thing1

    To whoever said you should not drive tired when hauling passengers: Every time you get behind the wheel of any vehicle, you are taking other lives into your hands. You should NEVER drive tired. You may be the only person in your vehicle, but you are not the only person on the road.

    June 1, 2011 at 7:25 am | Report abuse |
  7. Angel

    Denny E. Ferreras 25 years old, a student, a medical assistant, a sister, daughter, cousin and best friend died in is crash. As her family make arrangements for her funeral and to take her back to Dominican Republic for burial, i ask that everybody pray for the four women that lost their lives and their families.

    June 8, 2011 at 12:46 pm | Report abuse |
    • survior

      R.I.P DENNY I DIDNT KNOW YOU WELL BUT I GOT TO SEE THAT U WERE A GREAT PERSON JUST BY TALKIN TO YOU FOR A FEW HOURS. YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TRULY HAVE A ANGEL WITH THEM.

      June 27, 2011 at 11:25 pm | Report abuse |
  8. survior

    as a survior of this horrific crash i just want to say that yes if u are tired to pull over and rest. those four women should have not died that day but God wanted his children to be with him. As i can recall i was sitting a few rows away from one of the ladys who passed. i dont wish this on noone. the passengers on that bus should have never been injured or killed. that day will never leave my mind. i am terrified of buses now. so like i said before as a survior i want to say that my thought and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the dead and my thoughts and prayers are with the fellow surviors.

    June 27, 2011 at 11:22 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Garetti Beardmoren

    Generally I don't read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice post.

    July 8, 2012 at 9:09 pm | Report abuse |
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