NTSB arrives to investigate bus crash that killed inmates, corrections officers; timeline released
A team of eight from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived late Wednesday in Odessa to investigate the bus crash that killed eight inmates and two corrections officers early Wednesday near Penwell.
An NTSB official told media Thursday that the investigation will include looking at weather factors, vehicle conditions, and human factors.
A preliminary NTSB report is expected in the next 10 to 15 days with a final report on the investigation expected a year to 16 months from now.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice released photos of the inmates and corrections officers killed and injured in the bus crash. View the photos at http://bit.ly/1yomzRl
The Texas Department of Public Safety has released a timeline of events before and after the Texas Department of Criminal Justice fatal bus crash on I-20 at mile marker 103 and FM 866.
These crashes were near the location of the fatal bus crash but are not directly related to the cause of the bus crash. DPS officials say the primary factor in these crashes and the bus crash are due to the icy road conditions.
Timeline
-At approximately 5:50am, one white pickup truck with (1) occupant was traveling eastbound , lost control due to icy road conditions on the north side of the overpass near mile marker 103. Occupant had incapacitating injuries and was wearing a seat belt.
-At approximately 6:05am, a blue passenger car with (1) occupant was traveling eastbound , lost control due to the icy road conditions and came to rest in the center median. Occupant did not have any injuries and was wearing a safety belt.
-At approximately 7:35am, a brown pickup truck with (1) occupant was traveling eastbound , lost control of the vehicle and crashed at same location on the north side of the overpass near mile marker 103. The occupant had minor injuries and was wearing a seatbelt.
-The TDCJ fatal bus crash occurred at approximately 7:40am, the transport bus was traveling westbound, on the inside lane, exited off the left side of the road causing damage to the left guard rail.
-Moments later a gray passenger car traveling with (2) occupants westbound , lost control due to the icy overpass and struck the guard rail to the right. Then a gray pickup truck with (1) occupant following behind the passenger car then slid on the icy overpass and also hit the guard rail on the right side. No injuries were sustained to the occupants involved. All occupants were wearing safety belts.
-Approximately 10 minutes after that crash, another white pickup-truck with (1) occupant traveling eastbound, lost control due to the icy road conditions and rolled on its passenger side on the improved shoulder and caused damage to the guard rail. Occupant did not have any injuries and was wearing a safety belt.
