EL PASO, TX (11/19/2015) — A major truck-vs-bus accident involving the band The Ghost Inside left two people dead and several hospitalized with serious injuries.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), an accident along U.S. 62/180 involving a tour bus and an 18-wheeler killed 31-year-old Gregory Hoke and 64-year-old Steven Cunningham in El Paso, Texas on Thursday.
The DPS reported that the accident occurred at around 9:15 a.m. MST.
Officials stated that a private bus carrying the members of a California-based metal band, The Ghost Inside, was traveling westbound along U.S. 62/180 when it crossed into the eastbound lanes and struck an 18-wheeler, driven by Cunningham.
Both the driver of the bus, Greg Hoke, and the driver of the truck, Steven Cunningham, were killed on impact. The 10 occupants of the bus were all seriously injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment.
“We have accounted for 12 people. Two have been confirmed deceased and 10 are injured,” said State Trooper Moises Vasquez. “Some were transported to local area hospitals in Hudspeth, and others were transported to El Paso.”
According to authorities, The Ghost Inside band members—Andrew Tkaczykt and Zach Johnson, both 28, as well as Jonathan Vigil—suffered serious injuries and were transported to University Medical Center via helicopter. They remain in critical condition.
The seven other occupants of the tour bus—Nathan Wilden, 31, Armando Cardona, 32, Charles Anthony Billings, 27, Danny Luppino, 29, Timothy Irons, 27, Christopher Davis, 25, and James Riley, 34—also suffered serious injuries.
Commentary
An estimated 98 percent of all 18-wheeler accidents result in at least one fatality, which was unfortunately true in this case. What lead the at-fault driver to enter the wrong lane of traffic? Could this be attributed to driver fatigue? Distracted driving? Unfortunately, we don’t have the answers at this point. A full investigation, once completed, is expected to provide more answers. If you have any information regarding this fatal wreck, please leave a comment below.
