Authorities say that a blown semi truck tire is believed to have caused a head-on semi truck vs. Greyhound bus crash that killed multiple people near Thoreau, New Mexico, yesterday.
The crash happened around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 30, near the New Mexico/Arizona border, according to a news release from the New Mexico State Police (NMSP).
Accident on I-40 near Thoreau, NM pic.twitter.com/irYguqaiMZ
— Alex Huggins (@lxhuggins24) August 30, 2018
NMSP says that a semi truck traveling east on I-40 blew a tire near mile marker 50, causing the truck driver to lose control and cross over the median into westbound traffic. The semi truck crashed head on with a westbound Greyhound bus transporting 48 passengers in addition to the bus driver.
NMSP has confirmed that seven people died as a result of the crash, but New Mexico State Police Officer Ray Wilson says that he expects that number to rise.
Most of the 49 people on the Greyhound bus were taken to the hospital for treatment of various injuries. The semi truck driver was also taken to the hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries.
Preliminary crash information indicates a semi-tractor-trailer traveling on I-40 EB had a tire blowout and crossed into oncoming WB traffic, colliding with a Greyhound bus.@nmstatepolice pic.twitter.com/ayDmhjju31
— Rob Quirk (@KOAARobQuirk) August 30, 2018
The Greyhound bus was en route from St. Louis to Los Angeles.
The New Mexico State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau will be aiding in the investigation into the crash and inspecting the truck. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash.
I-40 was shut down for eight hours for the crash.