Buford Paya Killed In Illinois Greyhound Bus Accident On I-70

Bus Accident - July 14, 2023

Buford Paya, of Supai, Arizona, Died In Greyhound Bus Accident In Highland On Interstate 70

HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS (July 14, 2023) – A passenger identified as Buford Paya was one of three people who died in a Highland Greyhound bus accident on I-70.

Madison County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:54 a.m. on Wednesday. The Greyhound bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis when it collided with a parked semi-truck.

The force of the impact sheered off a major portion of the Greyhound bus. In all, three people died in the collision including Buford Paya.

Dozens more were injured including several people who were taken away in a medical helicopter. Among the injured was the bus driver who was listed in serious condition.

Passenger Edwin Brown said that he felt the bus shake as it passed over rumble strips before it hit the truck. An investigation into the Greyhound bus accident that killed Buford Paya and two other people remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Greyhound Bus Accidents

Buses are typically very safe, but accidents still occur leaving many people seriously injured. In particular, there have been a number of serious bus accidents involving Greyhound vehicles. In 2005, a Greyhound bus en route to San Francisco crashed killing two passengers. In 2016, a Greyhound bus in San Jose collided with a safety barrier killing two people in the process. This week, three more people died in a Greyhound crash in southern Illinois. There are a number of steps that bus companies should take in order to avoid collisions.

• Bus drivers should receive periodic medical exams to ensure that they are fit to drive.
• Buses should be periodically inspected and well maintained.
• Bus companies should thoroughly vet all prospective drivers.

School buses are considered “common carriers” under the Common Carrier Liability Act (740 ILCS 25/). Their drivers must use an abundance of caution to avoid accidents. Many collisions are due to speeding. Many other collisions are due to driver fatigue. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that staying awake 18 hours can reduce a person’s ability to drive safely equal to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%.

Accidents where buses veer off of the road are typically associated with inattentive, speeding or fatigued drivers. When a bus driver is negligent and causes a fatal collision, their employer could be held at fault. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful acts or omissions of their employees. For vicarious liability to apply, the employee must have been working within the course and scope of their job duties.  There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bus accident.

• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Maintenance records for the bus should be examined.
• Surveillance footage should be sought.
• The bus driver’s logbook should be reviewed.

The vast majority of bus accidents are preventable and involve some amount of driver error. It is common for bus companies to prioritize efficiency in ways that needlessly put their passengers at risk. The family of any person that is killed in a bus accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Sadly, it is common for bus companies to deny liability for any collision involving their drivers.

Investigating Illinois Greyhound Bus Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Buford Paya. It is our sincere hope that all of the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. This was a completely preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of all who have been affected.

Do you need more information about an Illinois Greyhound bus accident? Our team of bus safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that bus companies are held to account for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.