The driver of a tour bus that crashed on I-90 in New York in August, killing five and injuring dozens more, has been charged with manslaughter, state police and the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
Bin Shao, 56, is charged with five counts of second-degree manslaughter and five counts of criminally negligent homicide. He was arrested on Wednesday and presented in Genesee County Court on Friday, pleading not guilty.
Shao was driving a bus carrying more than 50 people for M&Y Tour Inc. from Niagara Falls to New York City when he lost control, crossed the median, and rolled over into a ditch on the side of the road near I-90 Exit 48A.
On top of the five people who were killed, dozens more, ranging from 1 to 74 years old, were injured. Following the crash, State Police stated that everyone aboard the bus was injured to some extent. Regional hospitals evaluated more than 40 patients for injuries ranging from broken arms and legs to head trauma.
Many of those injured were Indian, Chinese, or Filipino.
Prosecutors maintained that there is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the tragedy, but rather “decisions made and actions taken” by Shao, Genesee County District Attorney Kevin Finnell said at a news conference on Friday.
If Shao is found guilty of manslaughter, he might face a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 15 years. The case will return to court on March 9.
