Police: Driver in charter bus crash last year in Schuylkill County won't be charged

Frank Andruscavage, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read

Jul. 22—HEGINS — The driver of a charter bus that crashed into a wooded area off of Interstate 81 in Foster Township last September, who was ejected from the vehicle and seriously injured, will not be charged, state police said.

Trooper David Boehm, public information officer for Troop L, Reading, said Friday the crash happened at Exit 112 at about 2:35 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, as Adam M. Wright, 37, of Lancaster, was driving a 2017 Van Hool CX45 Motorcoach with 30 passengers.

Boehm said an investigation determined that Wright appeared to have a medical condition and is observed on video losing consciousness as the vehicle goes off of the road.

Boehm said that defects were found during the post-crash vehicle examination that would have caused or contributed to the cause of the crash.

After a review of police reports and medical records by the Schuylkill County District Attorney's office Boehm, said it is clear from the video that Wright had a medical incident.

"Based on that information, no charges will be filed," he said.

Boehm said Wright was at mile marker 111.6, approaching Exit 112, the Hegins exit, when the bus traveled off the right shoulder.

The vehicle struck an exit sign, continued south through the grass and onto Route 25, where it struck a metal guiderail dividing the lanes of travel. It continued across the highway, struck a dirt embankment, went airborne and came to a stop after striking a large group of trees.

Wright was ejected when the bus hit the trees and suffered serious injuries.

Of the 32 people aboard the bus, five, including Wright, were flown to area trauma centers by helicopter. The remaining passengers, who suffered lesser injuries, were taken to hospitals in Pottsville and Shamokin.

The bus, owned by Premier No. 1 Limousine, Middletown, was the middle of three buses traveling to the Manheim campus of the Lives Changed By Christ Church in Lancaster County. On board were freshman and sophomore girls and several adults returning from a high school ministry retreat at Lake Champion, New York.