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Charter bus overturns on I-70

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The journey of about 25 passengers onboard a bus traveling from New York to Columbus, Ohio, was jarringly interrupted early Sunday when the bus rolled over on its side after it was struck by another vehicle on Interstate 70 in Washington.

None of the passengers sustained serious injuries, though many were taken to Canonsburg Hospital and Washington Hospital for cuts and bruises or observation, according to Trooper Matthew Jardine, a spokesman for the state police. The driver of the bus, identified as Zhuzai Dop, was ejected from the vehicle and was taken to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh. He was listed in fair condition late Sunday.

The accident occurred in the westbound lane of I-70 about 4:30 a.m. when a sport utility vehicle being driven in the highway’s left lane by Killian James Duncan, 23, of Wayne, swiped the side of the bus, which was in the right lane. According to state police, the driver of the bus swerved, and the bus hit a utility pole at the Jefferson Avenue exit ramp, then overturned.

Several area fire departments and ambulance crews descended on the scene, and it was initially treated as a mass-casualty incident. Jardine explained the mass-casualty protocol is used when the number and extent of injuries is not initially known.

“It’s basically a system put in place for (incidents with) multiple injuries or casualties so area responders can arrive with enough equipment, personnel and support,” Jardine said.

Sixteen people who were traveling on the bus were treated at Washington Hospital, according to Beth Martin, an administrative nursing supervisor, and one was being treated on an outpatient basis late Sunday afternoon, she said.

Both westbound lanes of I-70 were shut down after the accident and reopened about 7:30 a.m.

Hermes Luxury Coach, Ltd., based in Durham, N.C., is the owner of the bus.

Duncan is likely to be charged with summary offenses, Jardine said.

After the accident, some passengers were reluctant to get back on any bus to finish the trip. Anna Finley, one of the passengers, told Pittsburgh television station WPXI that she called her father in Columbus to come pick her up.

“There is absolutely no way I’m getting on another bus. I’m too traumatized,” she said.

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