SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NTSB Investigating New York Charter Bus Crash

The bus, carrying Farmingdale High School students to a marching band camp in Pennsylvania, may have suffered a faulty front tire before it rolled over into a 50-foot ravine off the side of Interstate 84. Two adult passengers died in the accident.

by Wes Platt and Christy Grimes
September 22, 2023
NTSB Investigating New York Charter Bus Crash

Initial findings suggest the wreck, which killed two Farmingdale High School faculty members and injured several other passengers, may have been caused at least in part by a faulty front tire.

Image: Canva

2 min to read


The National Transportation Safety Board is working with the New York State Police to investigate the cause of a Sept. 21 rollover crash of a charter bus carrying high school students to a marching band event in Pennsylvania.

The NTSB reported in a social media post that its investigators would be on the scene Sept. 22.

Ad Loading...

The NTSB, in coordination with the New York State Police, is sending a team to conduct a safety investigation into Thursday's rollover crash on Interstate 84 in Wawayanda, New York. Team will arrive on scene Friday morning.

— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) September 21, 2023

At least two adults died and several other passengers were injured – five critically – when the charter bus carrying 40 students from Farmingdale High School and four adults went off Interstate 84 in Wayawanda and rolled down a 50-foot ravine.

During a news conference on Thursday, investigators said a faulty front tire on the bus might’ve contributed to the wreck.

“They say grief is the price you pay for love,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul during the conference, which was broadcast on ABC7NY and other networks. “We have families, we have a school, school district, county, even an entire state that is grieving at this time.”

The charter bus was one of six taking students to an annual band camp in Greeley, Penn.

Ad Loading...

The adults killed in the accident have been identified as Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77. Both were music faculty members at Farmingdale High.

“It is difficult to express the sadness and grief that the Farmingdale School District and I feel over the tragic events that unfolded earlier and the horrific experience our students endured,” said Paul Defendini, school superintendent. “We deeply mourn the passing of our inspiring faculty and band director, Gina Pellittiere, and the heart and soul of our marching band program, Beatrice ‘Bea’ Ferarri.”

More Safety

Promotional graphic for a new Pro-Vision AI camera system. The image shows a monitor displaying camera views with AI object detection overlays, along with multiple cameras and recording hardware. Text reads "New Product," "Pro-Vision," and "Visibly Better." School Bus Fleet logo appears in the lower-right corner.
SafetyJune 11, 2026

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System

The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.

Read More →
A New York school bus in the street.
Safetyby Elora HaynesJune 9, 2026

N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students

New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.

Read More →
Graphic for an opinion article on illegal school bus passing. A school bus with its stop arm extended is stopped as children cross the street, while a black SUV drives past. Headline reads, “America’s School Bus Blind Spot.” School Bus Fleet branding appears in the corner.
SafetyJune 8, 2026

America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse

Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a school bus on a New York street and text reading "Legislative Roundup May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 29, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate

Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.

Read More →
hopskipdrive whitepaper
SponsoredMay 26, 2026

The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation

Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.

Read More →
Emergency response personnel assist participants evacuating through the rear emergency door of a yellow school bus during a hands-on safety training exercise at Prosper ISD. Smoke fills the bus interior as responders demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 21, 2026

Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas

Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
BusPatrol cameras on the side of a school bus.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsMay 6, 2026

Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards

After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.

Read More →
A group of people in business attire pose for a photo in front of a school bus, with text reading "Legislative Roundup: May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 6, 2026

School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes

From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Graphic with part of a school bus and text reading "Fatal Accident in Brooklyn."
Safetyby StaffMay 5, 2026

9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection

A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A blue and white graphic with text reading "2026 Safety & Operations Report" with an image of the cover of the report.
Safetyby StaffMay 4, 2026

Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes

The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.

Read More →