16 Dead In Texas Bus Crash

SHERMAN, Texas (AP) — Officials now say at least 16 people are dead after their charter bus blew an illegally treaded tire and skidded off a Texas highway.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating yesterday’s early morning crash, which injured dozens of other people.

The charter was carrying 55 people from Texas to Missouri for an annual festival honoring the Virgin Mary. Most of those aboard were from Vietnamese congregations in Houston.

Records show the tour bus owner wasn’t legally licensed. And officials say the 52-year-old driver had a commercial license, but his medical certification had expired. Online records show he had a prior conviction for driving while intoxicated. Authorities say they took blood samples from the driver, but do not have results yet.

The driver had been arrested at least three other times and sentenced to two years in prison. He’s reported to be in stable condition at a hospital.