A tour bus on its way to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, Nevada, was traveling at a high rate of speed just before it flipped over along Diamond Bar Road in Mohave County, Arizona, earlier this year, killing one passenger and injuring more than three dozen others.
Comedy on Deck Bus Crashed Near Hualapai Reservation
The January 22nd accident occurred just before 12:30 p.m., as 48 people were aboard a Comedy on Deck tour bus for an excursion to Grand Canyon West in the Hualapai Reservation. But before arriving at its destination, the vehicle veered into a dirt embankment near mile-marker five, ran over ruts and rocks, and struck Joshua Trees before going airborne and flipping on its side across the roadway.
A 53-year-old woman from Boone, Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene. She had been partially ejected from the bus.
Forty-five others were taken to Kingman Regional Medical Center, including three people listed in critical condition. Two of those individuals were later airlifted to Las Vegas. Injuries ranged from abrasions and ankle sprains to fractures, blunt force trauma, and broken ribs.
Grand Canyon Tour Bus Driver May Have Fallen Asleep
According to records recently obtained by the Associated Press, the vehicle’s GPS indicates the bus was traveling at 62 mph at the time of the crash, despite a posted speed limit of 45 mph. The driver told investigators from the Mohave County Sherriff’s Office that he had been going no more than 40 mph.
Passengers also said the driver might have fallen asleep behind the wheel, something he disputes. He also maintained that the engine brake, which helps slow and control the bus, was engaged. However, two other tour bus drivers who had stopped to assist at the crash said that didn’t appear to be the case.
According to the crash report, there were no visible marks on the tires or in the embankment to indicate heavy braking or steering for at least 700 feet.
Comedy on Deck Driver Blamed Wind Gusts for Crash
The bus driver has claimed high wind gusts caused the vehicle to flip over. But records from the National Weather Service indicate winds of only 13 to 19 mph at the time.
All of the vehicle’s seat belts were locked and didn’t appear to be worn. The driver was wearing a seat belt.
The Grand Canyon tour bus crash remains under investigation. According to the Associated Press, the sheriff’s office is still awaiting results of the driver’s toxicology tests and an autopsy report on the deceased victim.
So far, nothing has been turned over to the Mohave County District Attorney’s Office.
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