Two people were killed, and many were injured in a charter bus accident that police say the driver was an undocumented immigrant. The bus was traveling to Baton Rouge and was carrying dozens of workers who were going to help with flood cleanup, according to Louisiana State Police Trooper. The accident happened on Sunday morning at approximately 6:40 a.m on Interstate 10 in Louisiana. The charter bus came up on another minor accident on Interstate near LaPlace, Louisiana, west of New Orleans by Lake Pontchartrain. Three firefighters were on the scene assisting. The police say the bus driver lost control of the bus and struck the three firefighters, the fire truck, and several other vehicles including a Camry. Officials say all three men were thrown over the guardrail and fell into the water about 35-feet below.
One of those killed was 36-year-old St. John the Baptist Parish Fire District Chief. The other person killed was a 21-year-old passenger in the backseat of the Camry. Dozens of people were taken to various hospitals and many remain in critical condition. Police say the bus driver was speeding at the time of the accident, and wet roads may have contributed to the crash.
Police have discovered the driver of the charter bus wasn't licensed to drive and was an undocumented immigrant from Honduras. The bus driver was treated at a hospital and then detained by police at the St. John the Baptist Correctional Center. He is charged with driving without a driver's license, two counts of negligent homicide, and reckless operation. The 2002 Eldorado National bus was owned by Kristina's Transportation LLC/AM Party Bus out of Jefferson, Louisiana and was being used to transported flood relief workers. Police are still investigating who chartered the bus.
If you have been involved in a bus accident and sustained serious injury, please contact St. Louis’ most dedicated traffic accident lawyers at Meyerkord & Kurth, LLC, today.