Valley woman who was scheduled to ride bus in deadly New Mexico crash speaks out
At least 8 are confirmed dead, 33 other passengers injured after a semi-truck crashed into a Greyhound bus Thursday afternoon on the highway between Grants and Gallup, New Mexico.
Today at a press conference, authorities said the semi-truck driven was by a 35-year-old Northern California man. The truck blew a tire, crossed the median, and hit the greyhound bus head-on. No word yet on what caused the truck’s tire to explode. The National Transporation Safety Board is involved with the investigation into the crash.
Cathedral City resident Lakesha Mackabee was supposed to be on that bus, she was waiting for it in Phoenix, the bus’ next scheduled stop before Blythe and Indio.
“The bus driver that was supposed to arrive to pick us up, he was supposed to be there at 5:50 but he did not arrive because of the accident that took place,” Mackabee told KESQ & CBS Local 2.
“I felt devastated because I kind of felt like death just missed me or something,” Mackabee said.
While en route in the replacement bus, she told KESQ & CBS Local 2 she and the other riders were surprised to see the bus so empty when they boarded.
“Once we boarded the bus in Phoenix, we were all really happy that the bus was empty because there was like nobody on it but then, later on, we got a message from the bus driver and she says the bus driver that was supposed to be here with the other 45 passengers were in a deadly accident,” Mackabee recalled.
The replacement driver that filled in told passengers she was a dear friend of Luis Alvarez, the driver of the bus killed in the crash.
“I almost jumped out the chair when she because when she said they had an accident the first thing you wanted to think was that it was something minor you know but then she (the replacement driver) started crying so I’m like someone died and she’s like yeah you know then she explained to us the accident and how serious it was,” Mackabee added.
A hotline has been set up by the McKinnley County Fire Department for those seeking the identities of passengers on board the bus – (505) 863-3839. Greyhound has also set-up a ‘Friends and Family hotline ‘ at 1-800-972-4583.
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