By Tisha Lewis, FOX 32 News reporter - bio | email
LITCHFIELD, Ill. (FOX 32 News) -
Aditi Avhad, 25, is described as a stellar student who made great contributions to Missouri University where she studied health administration. A graduate student from Mumbai, India whose dreams were abruptly cut short Thursday when a MegaBus crashed near Litchfield.
She was on board the double-decker bus with her parents en route to St. Louis and was killed in the crash, while 47 others were injured.
Illinois State Police say there were 72 passengers on board and two drivers when the MegaBus traveling from Chicago to Kansas City struck a pillar of an overpass on Interstate 55. The impact forced passengers from their seats.
"I was having a conversation with the woman next to me and all the sudden it sounded like we hit something really big. He was trying to regain control of the bus but it slammed right into the concrete post," said Megan Arns, an injured passenger.
Police say a blown-out tire is to blame. State Police said a crash reconstruction officer will return to the accident scene on Monday to determine was caused the blown out tire and what speed the bus was traveling before the crash occurred.
"Right now we are anticipating no citation to be issued but until the actual investigation is complete that's what will be determined then," said Lt. Louis King with Illinois State Police.
According to a statement released by MegaBus spokesperson Amanda Byers, "We can confirm that the vehicle involved in the accident was manufactured by Van Hool in 2011 and had passed a full preventative maintenance check - including tires - within the past week. Maintenance checks are performed by megabus.com approximately every 10 days."
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:16 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:16:31 GMT
Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville is one of the hottest local breweries in the area, and is featured in the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild's Chicago Craft Beer Week 2013.
Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville is one of the hottest local breweries in the area, and is featured in the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild's Chicago Craft Beer Week 2013.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:11:33 GMT
The new normal begins Thursday for Chicago Public Schools following a fiery and painful public debate over school closings. The school board voted to close 49 CPS schools in June, and one next year.
The new normal begins Thursday for Chicago Public Schools following a fiery and painful public debate over school closings. The school board voted to close 49 CPS schools in June, and one next year.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:00 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:00:07 GMT
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:03:10 GMT
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:45:07 GMT
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
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