Three people died tragically early Sunday morning, after a Texas-bound tour bus and several other vehicles were involved in a horrific chain-reaction crash along I- 25, just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
At least 24 others were injured in the collision, some critically.
Tour Bus Driver Lost Control While Attempting to Evade Earlier Crash
The July 15th accident occurred shortly before 2:00 a.m., when a passenger car travelling south on the interstate struck a pickup truck from behind.
A tour bus operated by El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express was travelling in the same direction when its driver took evasive action to avoid the earlier crash. For reasons that aren’t clear, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing the bus to roll over on its side and into the northbound lanes of the highway.
The bus was then struck by a passing 18-wheeler.
Tour Bus Was on Its Way to El Paso from Denver
El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express has confirmed that the bus had been travelling from Denver, Colorado to El Paso, Texas with 35 passengers aboard. Some may have planned to continue on to Mexico.
3 people died at the scene, including the driver of the car.
Police have not said whether any bus passengers are among the dead.
Operation to Rescue Trapped Bus Passengers Took Over 1 Hour
“This is definitely one of the worst accidents I’ve seen in my career. A lot of agencies involved, a lot of patients, a lot of critical patients,” Sandoval County Fire Chief James Maxon said during a Sunday morning news briefing.
Rescue crews had to bring in the jaws of life to free those trapped on the bus.
“The rescue operation consisted of having to remove numerous seats with hydraulic cutters and spreaders, and the operation took well over an hour to conduct,” Maxon continued.
Many of Those Hurt Suffered Broken Bones, Internal Injuries
At least 24 others were injured, including 4 people who are listed in critical condition. 2 had to be airlifted from the scene.
16 people were taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where they were being treated for broken bones, head lacerations, and internal injuries.
4 were later transferred to Lovelace and Presbyterian hospitals in Albuquerque.
8 people were taken to other hospitals, including 6 who were treated and released.
The accident remains under investigation. Officials have indicated that it could be several days before they are able to determine whether any of the surviving drivers will face charges in connection with the crash.
Our Undefeated Bus Accident Lawyers Have Won Record-Setting Recoveries on Behalf of Our Clients
Our Undefeated Bus Accident Attorneys have successfully represented hundreds of commercial bus passengers, winning record-setting verdicts and settlements on their behalf.
Most recently, for example, our attorneys won a $6 million settlement on behalf of several passengers who were injured after a fatigued Greyhound bus driver fell asleep at the wheel.
Greyhound agreed to settle the case after our attorneys obtained the first ever court-ordered overnight sleep study on a commercial bus driver, proving that the company’s driver suffered from Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a condition that made him 7 times more likely to fall asleep while driving.
Our Record-Setting Settlement is the #1 Largest Settlement in Greyhound’s History involving a fatigued driver and was covered by media outlets around the country, including CBS This Morning.
The #1 Largest Verdict in the History of Greyhound
Our Undefeated Bus Accident Attorneys also won an $18.8 million verdict on behalf of two passengers who were injured when a Greyhound bus rolled over on an icy road.
The verdict stands as the # 1 largest verdict in Greyhound’s corporate history.
Contact Our Undefeated Bus Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation by Calling 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here
Our Undefeated Bus Accident Attorneys are investigating the deadly New Mexico tour bus crash and will post an update when more information becomes available.
With more than $1 billion recovered for our clients, Our Undefeated Bus Accident Lawyers have the knowledge and resources needed to successfully take on negligent bus companies and ensure that you and your family are fully compensated for all of your injuries and losses.
If you or a loved one were injured in connection with the New Mexico bus crash, call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email through our “Contact Form.”
All consultations are free, and because we only work on a contingency basis, you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case.