On Monday, Sept 18 2017, a devastating Flushing bus accident occurred in Queens, New York when a tour bus crashed into an MTA bus. The accident took place at 6:16 a.m. on a turn from Main Street to Northern Boulevard in Flushing. The impact spun the MTA bus nearly 180 degrees and the tour bus crashed into a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet. Sparks and bright light flashes caused a small fire in the restaurant.

The NY Daily News reported that pedestrians ran down the sidewalk to get out of the way. The bus accident killed three people, including the tour bus driver. A total of 17 people suffered injury as a result of the collision.

Flushing Bus Accident Fatalities and Injuries

According to Pix 11, a worker named Henry Wdowiak, age 68 usually took the bus and train to work, but he decided at the last minute to walk to work on Monday. This fatal decision put him at the scene of the bus crash where he was pinned by one of the buses and died. Even though he was retired, he continued to work. Previously, he had served in the military as a pilot in Poland.

The other men killed in the bus accident were Gregory Liljefors, age 55, an MTA bus passenger and Raymond Mong, age 49 who drove the charter bus. The bus sped in excess of 60 miles per hour through the red light when it plowed into the MTA bus

Three injured people were in critical condition, including a 25-year old man who was standing on the sidewalk. He suffers from a broken neck and back. A 62-year old woman and 50-year old man both suffered from head trauma. The other injured people suffered various injuries from minor bumps and bruises to broken ribs.

Dangerous Flushing Intersection

According to residents and local authorities, the Main Street and Northern Boulevard intersection is a dangerous spot. In fact, it is a priority in the Vision Zero initiative.

Police Investigation into the Bus Crash

The police are investigating Mong, the Dahlia tour charter bus driver, and sources report that the MTA fired him two years ago due to a DUI and the state motor vehicles department received no notification that Mong was driving buses again. Dahlia Tour buses have been involved in at least two other fatal crashes and other severe crashes along with incidents of speeding violations.

Get Legal Help for Serious Accident Injuries and Fatalities

When you suffer serious injury or a loved one dies through the fault of someone else, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for losses. Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP  can assist you. If you believe another party was at fault, we offer a free consultation to evaluate your accident and determine grounds for pursuing compensation.