Crime & Safety
Long Island Man Killed in Deadly Florida Bus Crash
The man was driving a truck that was hit by a bus that reportedly skipped a light.
A Long Island man was killed in a deadly bus crash in Florida that left five people dead and injured dozens more.
The crash occurred early Saturday morning in Wakulla County when a refurbished school bus that left from Georgia carrying Haitian migrant workers and their families did not stop for a light and hit a semi-truck before slamming into a power pole, according to a report in the Tallahassee Democrat.
The driver of the semi, identified as Gordon Sheets, 55, of Copiague, was killed in the crash. The passenger, 21-year-old Rafael Nieves, of Sound Beach, was not injured in the crash.
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Wakulla County Sheriff Charlie Creel told NBC News the front and the back of the bus was on fire when deputies arrived on scene. Deputies began pulling people out of the burning bus and at least two deceased victims were pulled from the bus.
Four people died at the scene and a fourth victim died at the hospital. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is working with the American Red Cross to connect patients with their families.
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No one on the bus spoke English and authorities had to bring in interpreters.
The driver of the bus, 56-year-old Elie Dupiche of Belle Glade, was hospitalized in critical condition.
Image via Shutterstock
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