Tour Bus Driver Facing Charges In Deadly Delaware Crash
NEW CASTLE, Del., (CBS) -- Delaware State Police have charged a driver of a tour bus that crashed in New Castle on Sunday, killing two people and injuring dozens.
Troopers announced Tuesday that 56-year-old Jinli Zhao, of Flushing, New York has been charged with two counts of the Operation of a Vehicle Causing Death of Another Person.
Fifty-four-year-old Hua'y Chen of New York City, New York and 30-year-old Idil Bahsi, of Istanbul, Turkey were killed in Sunday's crash.
Police say the crash happened around 4:20 p.m. Sunday as a 1996 Setra Touring Coach Bus with 49 passengers onboard was traveling SR1 southbound exiting onto the off ramp to US 13 northbound, New Castle. According to police, Zhao lost control of the bus as he attempted to negotiate a moderate curve on the ramp at an unsafe speed.
The bus exited the roadway and overturned onto its roof. The bus continued to slide on its roof traveling down a slight grass embankment, rotating onto its left side where it came to rest.
Through continued investigation and interviews, police say detectives were able to determine that Zhao was operating the tour bus at an unsafe speed as it entered the curve of the off ramp. According to police, the unsafe speed was determined to be a contributing factor which caused the bus to travel off of the roadway and overturn.
Zhao was treated at the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
He was released on Tuesday into the custody of Troopers. Police say he was formally charged and arraigned.
Zhao was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $5,000 Secured Bond.
Police say preliminary investigation has determined that drugs and alcohol is not considered a contributing factor.
They say additional charges are likely to be filed at the investigation progresses.
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to conduct an independent investigation.
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