By WJBC Newsroom
BLOOMINGTON -All eight girls involved in Wednesday night’s bus crash on I-74 have been released from the hospital, and a local school leader says ‘its a miracle the outcome wasn’t worse.
A wrong way semi hit a Normal West school bus head-on killing two men and injuring multiple others.
The bus, carrying the West junior varsity girls basketball team, was coming back from a game at Champaign Central when the accident occured between Downs and Bloomington.
Normal West Principal Dave Johnson and Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel addressed the media Thursday. Johnson said the eight girls suffered non-life threatening injuries and are in stable condition. Our news partner WMBD-TV reports that all eight girls have been released from the hospital.
Coach Steve Price suffered broken bones and will need surgery according to Johnson. Price was transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Wednesday night.
Price is a long time physical education and driver’s education teacher, who is one of 11 current staffers who started with the school in 1995.
At the press conference Johnson remembered Charlie Crabtree, a 72 year old team volunteer who was killed in the crash.
“Everybody knew Charlie…he was a very special person,” said Johnson.
Crabtree worked for COUNTRY Financial for nearly 36 years, retiring in 2003 as a computer operations manager, according to a statement from the company.
Daniel said in looking at the crash scene it’s hard to believe the outcome wasn’t worse.
“I’d say from looking at the condition of the bus we probably witnessed a miracle,” said Daniel.
The other victim was the driver of the semi, 34-year old Ryan E. Hute, of Delmar, IA according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. Hute was pronounced dead in the trauma center at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday. An autopsy Thursday morning revealed that Hute suffered multiple blunt force injuries.
The driver of the bus is in critical condition.
School is in session Thursday at the high school and staffers are working with students who may need guidance.
Normal West Athletic Director Stan Lewis says the girl’s varsity basketball coaches and players will play their game tonight at home against Peoria Richwoods.
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