[08/11] Bus with 50 inmates crashes in Arizona; inmates, driver hurt

August 11, 2015

STANFIELD, Arizona (AP) – Authorities say an Arizona Department of Corrections bus carrying about 50 inmates has hit a semi-truck that had rolled over and blocked the lanes on Interstate 8.

State Trooper Kameron Lee tells The Associated Press that the bus driver was seriously injured and transported to a Phoenix-area hospital. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injuries. Lee said several inmates were hurt in the crash, with injuries ranging from minor to serious. He said they, too, were transported to area hospitals. There was no immediate word on the exact number of inmates injured.

Lee said officials received word at about 1:08 a.m. that a semi-truck had rolled over on the interstate. He said troopers received word five minutes later that a bus had struck the truck in the westbound lanes of the interstate between Casa Grande and Gila Bend.

It wasn’t immediately known where the bus was headed.

The trooper said the westbound lanes of the highway are expected to be closed for about three more hours. One lane has been opened eastbound.

AP