Crash investigation could take more than a year
ETNA – The National Transportation Safety Board Wednesday began what could be a 12 to 18 month investigation of Tuesday’s crash on I-70 that claimed the lives of three Tusky Valley students and three adults who were accompanying them on a trip.
The students were on a charter bus and the adults were in a vehicle behind them. Two commercial vehicles were also involved.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy in a press conference Wednesday afternoon did not offer any details on how the five-vehicle chain-reaction crash occurred. She has said there are conflicting reports.
Pictures and videos make it look like a semi rear-ended the bus, but there was also a vehicle between them and two vehicles ahead of them.
Colonol Charles Jones, superintendent of the State Highway Patrol, said an earlier crash up the road could have played a roll.
He did not discuss any other contributing factors to the crash, or anything related to a criminal investigation.
Homendy says investigators, experts, and family assistance team members are looking into what caused the crash and how future crashes can be prevented.
She said the investigation could take 12 to 18 months, but they will issue a preliminary report in two to three weeks.