A deadly Greyhound bus crash killing three passengers in Illinois was entirely preventable, stemming from systemic failures including critical truck parking shortages that forced semis onto illegal rest area ramps.
Key Takeaways
- NTSB investigation determined the fatal Greyhound crash was caused by driver fatigue, poor company oversight, and the dangerous practice of trucks parking illegally on rest area ramps
- The accident highlights America’s severe shortage of safe overnight truck parking facilities, forcing drivers to choose between illegal parking or violating hours-of-service regulations
- The bus driver had a concerning safety record with four previous accidents and multiple speeding incidents that Greyhound failed to properly address
- Passenger injuries could have been significantly reduced if more riders had worn the legally required seatbelts installed on the commercial bus
Deadly Collision Exposes America’s Truck Parking Crisis
On July 12, 2023, a Greyhound bus carrying passengers through Illinois became the center of a preventable tragedy when it slammed into three semi-trucks illegally parked on an interstate rest area ramp. The 1:48 a.m. collision near Highland, Illinois claimed three lives and injured twelve others, including the bus driver. As the bus exited Interstate 70 onto the rest area ramp, it struck the parked trailers, sliding along their sides with devastating consequences. Federal safety regulators have now directly connected this horrific incident to a nationwide crisis that places countless Americans at risk daily.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation revealed a perfect storm of safety failures. The bus driver had a troubling history that included involvement in four prior accidents and repeated speeding violations – red flags that Greyhound management failed to address through proper oversight and intervention. However, the NTSB emphasized that the root cause extends beyond individual or company negligence to a systemic nationwide problem: America’s severe shortage of safe truck parking facilities that forces drivers to make impossible choices between legal compliance and rest.
Overnight parking for long-haul truckers at interstate rest stops is critically short and was a key contributor to a 2023 Greyhound bus crash in Illinois that killed three people. https://t.co/t7npcuhnKp
— WAND TV News (@wandtvnews) May 21, 2025
Regulatory Failures and Enforcement Gaps
While parking on rest stop entrance and exit ramps is illegal in most states, enforcement remains woefully inadequate. With approximately 13 million commercial trucks operating on American roads and insufficient designated parking areas, truck drivers often face an impossible dilemma: park illegally or violate federal hours-of-service regulations that mandate rest periods. This regulatory catch-22 creates hazardous conditions that put all road users at risk. State patrols and highway authorities recognize the problem but lack resources or alternative solutions for truckers who have nowhere else to safely park.
“Our investigation brought to light a critical shortage of safe truck parking and made clear a painful lesson: Until we address this important safety issue, lives are at risk on our nation’s roads,” said Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chairperson.
A 2019 federal mandate requires all commercial buses to have seatbelts for every passenger and driver, which this Greyhound bus did provide. Illinois state law further mandates the use of these safety restraints. However, the NTSB investigation noted that many passengers weren’t wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash – a compliance issue that significantly increased injury severity. This aspect highlights the multilayered approach needed to improve transportation safety beyond infrastructure alone.
Corporate Responsibility and Government Action
Greyhound Lines cooperated with investigators throughout the NTSB review but has declined further comment due to pending litigation from victims’ families. “Greyhound Lines has fully cooperated with the NTSB since the beginning of this investigation,” stated a spokesman.
The tragedy highlights the urgent need for increased federal investment in transportation infrastructure specifically addressing the truck parking shortage. President Trump’s administration has repeatedly emphasized the importance of rebuilding America’s infrastructure, and this incident demonstrates how inadequate transportation facilities directly impact public safety. Without meaningful action to create sufficient parking for the nation’s commercial vehicles, similar preventable tragedies will continue to occur. The NTSB has called for more rigorous enforcement of existing regulations while simultaneously addressing the underlying parking shortage.
