GREEN BAY, Wis. (WLUK) — A coach bus crash near Green Bay injured 41 people Sunday, with the driver claiming brake failure.
Ghebry Figueroa, 37, of Prospect Heights, Illinois, faces charges of knowingly operating a motor vehicle while revoked and operating without a valid license. The incident occurred around 2:41 p.m. as the bus, carrying 54 passengers, exited Interstate 43.
According to authorities, the bus veered down an embankment after failing to slow adequately on the exit ramp. Figueroa reported that both regular and backup brakes malfunctioned. He appeared virtually in court Tuesday, where a $5,000 cash bond was set, with conditions barring him from driving without a valid license.
Assistant District Attorney Lisa Kaster noted Figueroa's extensive history of driving violations, including prior OWIs and operating under suspension. Figueroa is scheduled to return to court April 1 for a preliminary hearing.
Emergency responders activated mass casualty protocols as 36 passengers were treated at local hospitals for injuries ranging from minor to severe, including a broken arm, ribs, and spinal fractures. Witnesses reported the bus was en route from Chicago to a Michigan casino when the crash occurred.
Figueroa initially claimed he held a valid license, but later admitted it was revoked. His charter company, Lucky Charter and Tours, is not authorized for interstate operation, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The investigation is ongoing, and the condition of the injured passengers remains under review.