More than six months after a deadly tour bus rollover in western New York claimed five lives, prosecutors have formally charged the driver in connection with the crash.
Bin Shao, 56, of Flushing, Queens, faces counts of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, according to court records. Authorities allege Shao was driving at a high rate of speed when the bus, traveling from Niagara Falls toward New York City, lost control on the New York State Thruway in Genesee County.
Shao was arrested Thursday by New York State Police. He appeared in court the following day and entered a not guilty plea.
At a news conference, Genesee County District Attorney Kevin Finnell said there was no indication the driver was impaired by alcohol. He stated that the charges are based on the driver’s decisions and actions while operating the bus on the Thruway in Pembroke. Prosecutors declined to share further details about the alleged misconduct.
The bus, operated by M&Y Tour Inc., was carrying 54 passengers, many of Indian, Chinese and Filipino descent.
Those killed were identified as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, a student at Columbia University from Beijing; Zhang Xiaolan, 55; and Jian Mingli, 56, both of Jersey City.
Dozens of others were injured. Investigators previously ruled out mechanical failure and driver impairment as causes of the crash.
Bail was set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 secured bond, or $400,000 partially secured surety bond. Shao’s next court date is scheduled for March 9, according to online court records.