KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasFiery School Bus Crash Closes The I-215 Freeway
The I-215 eastbound between Green Valley Parkway and Valle Verde was closed for more than ten hours after a fiery, multiple vehicle crash Tuesday morning.
One person was killed in the fiery collision that involved several vehicles, including a Clark County school bus. Two other people were hospitalized.
Nevada Highway Patrol says three cars; one motorcycle and the school bus were involved.
Investigators say the motorcyclist lost control of his bike and fell off on the 215. The driver of a pick-up truck pulled over to help, but his car was clipped by a Ford Thunderbird.
The driver of the Thunderbird lost control, veered across traffic and was hit by the school bus, which also scooped up the empty motorcycle.
The Thunderbird, school bus and bike all burst into flames.
There were no children on the bus. The school bus driver was able to escape, but the driver of the Thunderbird was not.
NHP says accidents like this can be prevented. "We'll have to talk to witnesses to find out what kind of speed the Thunderbird was traveling at, but if you've got a safe reactionary gap from the guy in front of you and that guy's tail lights go on, you should have plenty of time to stop," said Trooper Kevin Honea.
Investigators believe an SUV ran over the motorcycle, blowing out one of the tires. The driver of that SUV and the motorcyclist were taken to the hospital. They are expected to survive.
The school bus and pick-up truck drivers were not injured. They already gave statements to investigators about what they saw happen.
The identity of the victim has not been released.
The accident happened around 5 a.m. before the bus had picked up children. The Nevada Highway Patrol re-opened the freeway around 4 p.m.
