Milwaukee School Bus Crash

Just after 10 am on Wednesday, May 23, a semi-truck rear ended a school bus that had pulled over onto the shoulder of I-39 in Wisconsin due to a mechanical problem.

The bus was carrying twenty seven children and six adults from Hope Christian School who were headed to their end-of-the-year Wisconsin Dells field trip. The accident happened in Columbia County near the village of DeForest.

Twenty passengers were injured, including four whose injuries were considered serious. Two were airlifted to a nearby hospital, though none of the injuries were considered life threatening.

All northbound lanes of I-39 were blocked for 2 hours until officials were able to clear the lanes. Another bus was sent to pick up uninjured students and staff to take them back to Hope Christian School.

The semi truck driver, 42-year-old Wayne Murphy, has been arrested on five counts of OWI (operating while intoxicated) causing injury and great bodily harm. Officials had already been looking for Murphy before he crashed into the parked bus for driving erratically.

Murphy worked for Dahl Trucking Company in Indianapolis. The company has said that Murphy has not been fired but is off duty until the investigation is finalized. The truck was headed to Canada on a food delivery.

Wynetta Lee, mother of one of the 8th graders, says her daughter has been traumatized by the event. Lee told TMJ4 that, “She’s waking up crying picturing a truck hitting the end of a bus.” Lee’s daughter is recovering from a sore neck and shoulder.

The 8th graders were set to graduate Wednesday, May 30, but because some students are still in the hospital or recovering at home, the ceremony has been postponed.

Trip Plans Destroyed- The bus driver, 51-year-old Yvonne Gayton, had pulled over on the highway after a “mechanical problem” on the way to the Wisconsin Dells. Officials say that the bus was pulled off well to the side onto the shoulder of I-39 where it was rear ended.