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Investigators say bus passed truck before Turnpike wreck killing 5

The NTSB expects an initial report about the incident should be completed in about 10 days,

  • The Associated Press
This image captured from video by WTAE, used by The Associated Press, shows the fatal crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike early Jan. 5, 2020.

This image captured from video by WTAE, used by The Associated Press, shows the fatal crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike early Jan. 5, 2020.

(Harrisburg) — Authorities looking into the dead-of-night crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike that killed five people say a loaded passenger bus passed a truck shortly before the wreck.

A National Transportation Safety Board member said Monday an initial report about the incident should be out in about 10 days, and a more detailed analysis could take two years.

Sixty people were injured in the crash at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday on the toll road in Westmoreland County, about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Atour bus traveling to Cincinnati rolled over and was then hit by two tractor trailers, according to Stephen Limani, a public relations officer for the Pennsylvania State Police.

Limani said the crash was similar to a chain reaction and involved a bus operated by the Z&D Tour company.

“As they were traveling on that bus, it was headed on a downhill grade and the bus was unable to negotiate a corner. That bus went up an embankment, rolled over and then was subsequently struck by two tractor trailers,” Limani said at a press conference. “Another tractor trailer came and collided with those two tractor trailers, and there was another passenger car that was also involved in this crash.”

Two central Pennsylvania UPS employees were among the dead — Dennis L. Kehler, 48, of Lebanon, and Daniel J. Kepner, 53, of Lewistown.

Both were UPS employees and were traveling out of Harrisburg, a company spokeswoman said.

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