GREEN BAY, Wis. (WLUK) — A coach bus crash in Green Bay on Sunday resulted in multiple injuries and a criminal charge against the driver.
Ghebry Figueroa, 37, from Prospect Heights, Illinois, told authorities his brakes failed as he exited Interstate Highway 43. He faces charges for operating a motor vehicle while revoked and causing great bodily harm, among others.
The bus, carrying 54 passengers en route from Chicago to the Island Resort and Casino in Michigan, left the highway, slid down an embankment, and stopped amid warehouses. According to the Green Bay Police Department, 41 people sustained injuries, with 36 requiring hospitalization.
Figueroa appeared virtually from the Brown County Jail for an initial court hearing, where a $5,000 bond was set. He posted bail shortly after, with a condition prohibiting driving without a valid license. His attorney emphasized Figueroa's understanding of the charges, while a victim, participating from a hospital bed, expressed the incident's impact on his life.
Emergency protocols were activated at local hospitals, ensuring prompt care for the injured. While a field sobriety test showed no signs of intoxication, a records check revealed Figueroa had not held a valid driver's license since 2017 due to a DUI suspension.
Figueroa is scheduled to return to court on April 1 for a preliminary hearing.