Two individuals lost their lives, and numerous others were injured when a bus transporting a Long Island high school band veered off I-84 in New York. The accident, which took place near Wawayanda, roughly 45 miles from New York City, occurred around 1 p.m. on Thursday. Preliminary investigations suggest that a defective front tire may have caused the tragic event.
Among those deceased are Gina Pellettiere, 43, the high school’s music instructor, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77, a retired teacher. Out of the 44 on board, five students are in critical condition. The trip was intended for a band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania. Farmingdale High School had chartered six buses in total for the journey, with the other five safely reaching their destination.
According to a report by BBC on Monday, September 18, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul commented on the resilience and strength of the young students who experienced the horrific crash. Many of these students were freshmen.
Regency Transportation, the owner of the bus, has a satisfactory rating from the Department of Transportation, though its records reveal several issues in recent years, including a crash with an injury in 2022. As investigations continue, further insights into the vehicle’s maintenance and the company’s overall track record will come to light.