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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a detailed investigative report on the tragic Greyhound bus crash that occurred on July 12, 2023, in Highland, Illinois, along Interstate 70.
The findings indicate that driver fatigue was the primary cause of the deadly crash, which claimed three lives and injured a dozen others.
Crash Overview and Timeline
According to the NTSB’s report, the bus driver had been awake for more than 17 hours before the crash, with most of that time spent on duty. The driver, who suffers from obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes, was operating on irregular shifts that significantly disrupted his sleep cycle.
The crash happened when the Greyhound bus collided with three illegally parked tractor trailers on the shoulder of an exit ramp near the Silver Lake rest area on westbound I-70.
The impact killed three passengers, severely injured others, including the driver, and caused extensive vehicle damage.
Key Details of the Highland Bus Crash
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Crash | July 12, 2023 |
| Location | Westbound I-70, Highland, IL |
| Fatalities | 3 passengers |
| Injuries | 12 (including driver) |
| Main Cause | Driver fatigue |
| Contributing Factors | Irregular work shifts, sleep apnea, diabetes |
| Additional Factor | Illegally parked tractor trailers |
| Driver History | Involved in 4 prior crashes |
| NTSB Recommendations | More parking for trucks, better safety policies |
Driver’s Risk Profile and Greyhound’s Oversight Failures
Further digging into Greyhound’s internal safety records, the NTSB discovered that the same driver had been involved in four previous crashes, one of which cited fatigue and unsafe speed as causes. Additionally, the driver was flagged in May 2023 for risky driving behavior in a Greyhound report used to monitor employee conduct.
Despite these red flags, Greyhound failed to implement a policy to remove repeat safety violators, which the NTSB cited as a significant policy failure.
Michael Fox, an NTSB official, stated, “Greyhound lacked a policy to remove drivers who repeatedly violated company safety policies.”
Illegal Parking of Tractor Trailers Also Contributed
The investigation also found that the illegally parked tractor trailers played a critical role in the crash. These trucks were parked on the shoulder of an exit ramp due to insufficient parking at the nearby rest area.
As a result, NTSB recommended that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) explore all options to expand parking capacity for commercial vehicles on highways.
Greyhound’s Response
Greyhound issued a statement confirming its full cooperation with the NTSB investigation, but refrained from further comments citing ongoing litigation.
Expert Reactions
Thomas Chapman, a member of the NTSB, remarked,
“This was a terrible tragedy… I hope Greyhound will move forward in a much more responsible way.”
The Highland, Illinois bus crash serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of fatigue in commercial driving and the critical importance of safety oversight in transportation companies.
The NTSB’s findings highlight systemic flaws—from driver health management to parking infrastructure—that require immediate attention to prevent future tragedies.