MHP identifies victims of fatal bus crash on I-20

Published 1:02 pm Monday, September 2, 2024

The Mississippi Highway Patrol has released the names of the seven people killed in the bus crash on Interstate 20 near Vicksburg early Saturday morning.

All seven were from Mexico:

• 61-year-old Miguel Arriaga
• 32-year-old Victor A. Garcia
• 31-year-old Moises A. Garcia
• 8-year-old Kain Gutierrez
• 16-year-old Perla Gutierrez
• 63-year-old Elia Guzman
• 16-year-old Angelica Palomino

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Initial reports indicated that eight people had been killed, but the number was revised downward on Saturday.

The bus was operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos. The company is based in Laredo, Texas, and has a location in Atlanta, according to U.S. Department of Transportation records.

On its website, which is published in Spanish, Autobuses Regiomontanos advertises trips across the United States and Mexico for tourists and international workers.

At a news conference Sunday, National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman said the 2018 Volvo bus that crashed was traveling from Atlanta to Dallas when its left front tire failed near Mile Marker 9 on I-20 westbound at 12:40 a.m. Saturday.

The tire failure caused the bus to leave the interstate and roll over on its left side onto an embankment. Six people were declared dead at the scene and another died later at Merit Health River Region hospital in Vicksburg.

A total of 43 people — 41 passengers and two drivers — were on the bus. All of the survivors were transported to hospitals in Vicksburg and Jackson for treatment.

First responders from the Vicksburg Police and Fire Departments, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Warren County Fire Service and Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to the scene. They worked well into the night aiding injured passengers and freeing those trapped in the wreckage.

In the hours after the wreck, Warren County officials, the MHP and the Baptist Association worked together to aid the stranded passengers by collecting food and clothing for them.

Inman said a 17-person team from the NTSB arrived in Vicksburg on Sunday and will spend most of this week gathering evidence from the crash. A preliminary report will be released within 30 days, but a final report won’t be available for 12 to 24 months.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi Department of Transportation, and Federal Motorcarrier Safety Administration are also assisting in the investigation.