Deadly Church Bus Crash Raises Questions

It’s being described as one of the worst crashes local officers have seen in more than two decades.

Sergeant Bill Miller with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, says, "It’s going to be hard to ID some of the people in this crash. The crash was so horrific that the University of Tennessee forensic team will have to use dental records."

Early reports indicate a North Carolina church bus blew a tire on Interstate 40, then crossed the median.

It hit an SUV and a tractor trailer before coming to a dramatic stop.

Miller adds, "As of this morning we have two critical, seven serious, and five stable at UT."

But eight people were not able to walk away from this breathtaking scene.

That leads us to ask; At what rate of speed can a blowout become fatal?

According to Captain Jessie Brooks with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, speeds greater than 70 miles per hour increases your chances of your blowout becoming fatal.

Brooks, adds, "But you can get out, survive a blowout."

Captain Brooks says most people panic and steer in the wrong direction.

Do not slam on the breaks.

Blowouts, Brooks says, can happen if you hit a piece of debris or if you’re tires are in bad shape.

"Maintain your tread, " adds Brooks.

Six elderly people on the church bus died, along with the driver of the tractor trailer, and passenger of the SUV.

The cause if the crash is still under investigation.