New York Police on Saturday released the identities of the five people who lost their lives in the tragic tour bus accident on Interstate 90. The crash happened near Exit 48A east around 12:40 pm on Friday and involved a bus carrying dozens of passengers.
According to the police statement, the victims were identified as Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City; Jian Mingli, 56, also from Jersey City; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; and Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of India. All five were passengers on the bus and died after the vehicle overturned.
How the crash happened
The bus was operated by Staten Island company M & Y Tour Inc. and was on its way from Niagara Falls to New York City. State Police said there were 54 people on board when the driver became distracted, causing the bus to lose control.
The vehicle swerved off the road and rolled into a ditch, killing five and injuring several others. Authorities confirmed that while distraction led to the incident, the exact cause is still being investigated.
State Police Major Andre Ray said the probe is ongoing but some possible causes have already been ruled out.
“The cause of the collision is still under investigation. However, mechanical failure as well as operator impairment have been ruled out at this time,” he said. “The operator has been cooperative and with the investigation still underway. No charges have been filed at this point.” Officials confirmed that the driver remained at the scene and assisted police during questioning.
Company’s safety history under scrutiny
Attention has now shifted to the safety record of the bus company. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records show that M & Y Tour had a “satisfactory” safety rating in 2024. However, in the two years prior, the company failed nine out of 43 inspections. Reports also note that most of its drivers had passed federal background checks, though safety performance remained a concern.
In addition to inspection failures, the company also faced past penalties. In 2019, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation fined M & Y Tour $15,000 for generating hazardous waste at a Brooklyn property without following proper storage or safety rules. The earlier violations have now come under focus after the deadly crash.
Governor Hochul’s response
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was closely monitoring the situation. She expressed her condolences and shared that state authorities were working with police and local officials to ensure assistance to victims and survivors. “My team is coordinating closely with @nyspolice and local officials who are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved,” Hochul wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling the incident “the tragic tour bus accident” on the Thruway.
Authorities said the priority remains to support survivors and families of the victims. Investigators are now examining maintenance records, driver logs, and company safety protocols to determine if negligence played a role. Officials also said more updates would be provided once the investigation is complete.